When the Fearless Fall Silent, Tyranny Wins

By Comr Chukwu Abia Chikaodiri | Grassrootsmirro 

July 1, 2025

History has taught us repeatedly that the cost of silence, especially from the brave and outspoken, is not just stagnation—it is regression. The fall of democratic values, social justice, and inclusive governance often begins not with the rise of tyrants, but with the retreat of those who once dared to speak truth to power. In the context of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, this truth resonates deeply. A state known for its courageous youths, bold writers, and fiery activists is slowly seeing its once-vibrant voices dimmed. When the fearless fall silent, tyranny doesn’t just win—it flourishes.

The Burden of Underperformance and the Crisis of Leadership in Ebonyi

Ebonyi State, created in 1996, came with hope—a hope for inclusiveness, rural transformation, education, infrastructure, and empowerment for the marginalized. For a while, some administrations tried to meet the aspirations of the people. However, the growing trend of autocracy, cults of personality, and suppression of dissent have darkened the political horizon.

Underperformance in governance is no longer whispered; it is now a lived experience. From poorly equipped health institutions to the underfunding of educational infrastructures, the signs are stark. The agricultural sector, which should be a goldmine for Ebonyi—a land blessed with arable soil and hardworking farmers—remains largely underdeveloped, riddled with lack of access to modern tools, markets, and value chains.

The roads that connect rural communities are either uncompleted or poorly maintained. Youth empowerment programs often favor party loyalists, and job creation is politicized. When leadership fails to be accountable, people look to the fearless: the voices that can speak for the masses. But what happens when these voices are muted?

The Role of Ebonyi's Fearless Youths, Writers, and Activists

Ebonyi State is not without its brave voices. There are youths, writers, bloggers, and social critics who have dared to question the status quo, risking their safety and careers in the process. Names like Chika Nwoba, a popular online critic and social commentator, come to mind. His frequent brushes with state apparatus show just how dangerous dissent has become. Detained, harassed, and sometimes labeled a public nuisance, Chika’s story is emblematic of the danger posed to anyone who dares to challenge the government in Ebonyi.

There are also less prominent but equally daring voices—young journalists, student union leaders, and poets who raise questions through their craft. Writers who pen metaphors dripping with protest. Activists who organize underground forums and WhatsApp discussions, and who speak at student conferences and community meetings, even at personal risk.

But fear is a strong force. Gradually, many of these voices have been silenced—some through threats, others by co-optation. Some were offered government appointments, others were forced into silence by fear of arrest or loss of livelihood. A few have migrated from activism to apathy, retreating into private struggles.

The Politics of Intimidation and the Cult of Praise

Tyranny does not always wear military fatigues or announce itself with gunfire. Sometimes, it comes dressed in agbada, speaking of "continuity" while muzzling dissent. In Ebonyi State, dissent is often seen as disloyalty. Critics are branded "enemies of progress," and social media is monitored not for engagement but for silencing voices. The State Assembly rarely questions the executive, often rubber-stamping policies without rigorous debate. Town hall meetings are stage-managed, and youth representatives are handpicked party faithfuls with little or no connection to the grassroots.

The media in Ebonyi has become largely cautious, choosing to avoid confrontation. Independent journalists often shy away from issues of governance, while state-owned media is flooded with praise-singing headlines. This culture of glorifying mediocrity creates a vacuum that tyranny eagerly fills.

The Danger of Silence

When fearless voices go quiet, the oppressed begin to question whether there is hope. The masses lose their last lines of defense. Tyranny doesn’t need consent; it needs absence—absence of resistance, absence of scrutiny, absence of truth.

Silence emboldens the oppressor. Every time a critic is jailed without public outrage, the state gets the message that it can do more. Every time a corrupt official is exposed and there is no public call for accountability, a door opens for more rot. Every time a writer buries their pen and a youth activist lowers their flag, a dictator gains ground.

In Ebonyi today, students are afraid to organize. Civil society groups are fragmented. Public intellectuals are watching from a distance. The price of protest is high. But the price of silence is even higher.

Rekindling the Flame: The Way Forward

The return of fearless voices in Ebonyi is not just necessary—it is urgent. The younger generation must be taught the power of collective advocacy, peaceful protest, and critical writing. Bloggers and digital content creators must leverage online platforms to speak truth with facts. Religious leaders and traditional rulers must stop playing safe and start holding public office holders accountable. Artists must use their craft to ignite conversations.

Diaspora Ebonyians must also play a role, funding independent media, empowering local journalists, and speaking for those at home who cannot. Opposition parties must engage in issue-based debates, not personality-driven politics. And civil society must unite, not for personal gains, but for the common good.

We must all remember that tyranny feeds on silence. And as long as the fearless stay mute, there will be no checks and balances, no accountability, and no genuine progress.

Remember 

“When the fearless fall silent, tyranny wins.” This is not just a catchy phrase—it is a tragic reality unfolding in Ebonyi State. The silence of the brave has created an enabling environment for mediocrity, misrule, and fear. But all hope is not lost. The pen is still mighty. The voice still carries power. And the youth of Ebonyi still have fire in their bones. If they rise again—louder, smarter, and united—the tide will turn. The state will rise. And tyranny, no matter how loud it becomes, will be drowned by the roar of a people who refused to be silenced.