BY REV FR GERALD NWAFOR
The biblical story of David and Goliath is one of the most powerful symbols of justice in human history. In the narrative found in the Bible, the young shepherd David faced the giant Goliath when no one else dared to stand up. Against all odds, David defeated the giant with a simple sling and a stone. That victory was not just physical; it represented the triumph of truth, courage, and justice over arrogance and oppression. Eventually, David became king. The weak overcame the strong, and righteousness prevailed. Here in the Nigerian context today, we seem to be witnessing a tragic reversal of that story.
A woman named Tracy Ohiri appeared to many Nigerians as a modern-day David confronting a political Goliath, former Governor, Senator, and present Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi. For years, she claimed that she had been owed millions of naira for services rendered. Her allegations were serious: economic exploitation, intimidation, and even sexual pressure tied to payment. For twelve years, she said she had struggled to receive what was rightfully hers.
When her story became public thanks to social media, Nigerians, especially young people, activists, and women’s groups, rallied behind her. They saw in her struggle a familiar story: the ordinary citizen standing up against the powerful political elite. Many believed she was courageously exposing the injustice that ordinary Nigerians face daily. Protests were organized. Voices were raised. Citizens demanded accountability. I put on my thinking cap, I consulted my local friends to know more about this Senator, and I searched social media to see if there were other cases relating to Minister David and other people involving money.
There were many people who came up with the same allegation against the Minister. It was a pattern in the Senator’s behavior towards the contract. I just said, “Every day is for the thief but one day is for the owner of the house.” The Minister has met his Waterloo in Tracy Ohiri. In that moment, Tracy Ohiri seemed like David confronting Goliath.
In less than one month, something unexpected happened. The narrative changed. Instead of continuing the fight, Ohiri appeared to reverse her earlier claims. The accusations of harassment and exploitation were suddenly softened or withdrawn. Ohiri read a kangaroo apology on social media because she decided to settle with the Governor behind the scenes. In her apology, as I remember it, “I did not say that Umahi sexually harassed me, I did not say that Umahi said that what happened to the Engineers will happen to me,” and many other weak words. For a moment, I thought it was AI. I laughed and said it would not work. All of a sudden, it was in the mainstream media, and it was true that Tracy collected money and changed her story.
I do not want Tracy to make me believe the Igbo proverb about women, but with her betrayal, I am wounded; not mortally, though. For many Nigerians who had passionately defended her, this sudden shift felt like a betrayal of the century. For a moment during the protest, Tracy felt as though David had defeated Goliath. Waking up to see her apology felt like David walking into Goliath’s camp and surrendering the victory. A simple roadside interview with folks who supported Tracy exposes the level of pain and betrayal.
History remembers famous betrayals. Judas betrayed Jesus Christ for money. Please do not misunderstand me, the text was clear, for 30 pieces of silver offered. Brutus betrayed Julius Caesar.
These moments endure because betrayal wounds more deeply than open opposition. An enemy attack from outside is expected. But when someone you trusted abandons the cause, the damage spreads much further. For many Nigerians, Ohiri’s reversal created a dangerous consequence beyond the immediate controversy. It weakened public trust. When citizens rise to support someone who claims injustice, they do so with the hope that truth will prevail. But when that story collapses or changes dramatically, people begin to doubt future victims. And this is the real tragedy.
How can we fight for the four ladies in the Senate who want their number increased? How can we fight for Natasha, whose name was sexualized by David Umahi? Tracy, you have sold our victory for a paltry sum.
Women who speak about harassment or exploitation already face enormous skepticism and pressure. When a high-profile case suddenly shifts direction, it risks undermining the credibility of others who may genuinely be suffering in silence. Activists become hesitant. The public becomes cynical. Trust erodes. Now it takes the goat to market without ropes (Akpulu ewu, achiro ogbuli). Nigeria is already struggling with political frustration, economic hardship, and widespread distrust in institutions. When stories of courage end in confusion or compromise, it deepens the sense that justice can be negotiated away. Thanks to the internet, which keeps a record of whatever comes into it, one day, Tracy will find herself in the shoes of Daniel Bwala, and the truth of what she said will come to haunt her. We did not know what happened to Brutus, but we knew what happened to Judas. Money is not everything, which we were told from childhood, but many do not believe the dictum, hence the level of betrayal we see today.
The lesson from the biblical David is not simply about defeating a giant. It is about remaining faithful to the truth after victory. The true hero does not just confront Goliath; he refuses to become part of Goliath’s system. The chicken has gone into the territory of the cat (Okuku aga na ama Nnanwuluede). Our prayers now would be for the chicken to come out alive because there is an enemy within. I do not want to ask the tribe of Tracy in order not to give fuel to the city boys’ movement. Let us focus on the matter before us, which is betrayal and loss of victory because of greed. Tracy will be at Al Jazeera to tell the world what happened, because Nigerians cannot be taken for a ride by one woman. We must change the country towards good governance and accountability.
If Nigeria is to rebuild trust, courage must be matched with consistency, and accusations must be pursued with integrity. Otherwise, every future David who steps forward will face a public that wonders whether the battle is real or whether the victory will simply be sold back to Goliath. Tracy should come clean or bear the pain of distrust and a deficit of integrity for a long time. I do not want to say forever because I am a Christian, and we have a window open for forgiveness and mercy always.
