I’m Done Keeping Quiet”: Pastor David Favour Love Breaks Silence Over Wife Shimite’s Death, Allegations of Domestic Abuse, and Family Betrayal
A maelstrom of grief, controversy, and public scrutiny has erupted following the sudden and suspicious death of Mrs. Shimite Love, a high-ranking government official and beloved personality in Delta State. The aftermath of her passing has been anything but quiet. At the center of the storm stands her widower, Pastor David Favour Love, who until now, had remained silent in the face of mounting allegations and family tensions. But no more.
“This is not when you should go. I’m done keeping quiet,” David declared in a series of emotionally charged Instagram posts on Tuesday, May 20, breaking his silence with accusations, heartbreak, and a promise to reveal the “whole truth.”
At just 48, Shimite Love held one of the most influential offices in Delta State as the Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Trade and Export. A woman of vision and passion, Shimite had built a solid reputation across Nigeria and Africa as a pioneer in export promotion, SME development, and women empowerment. Her death in the early hours of Monday, April 21, 2025, came as a thunderbolt — sudden, shocking, and shrouded in suspicion.
An immediate outpouring of grief erupted online and within political circles, as tributes poured in from women’s groups, civil society organizations, state officials, and young entrepreneurs who had benefited from her initiatives. But amid the mourning came murmurs. Those murmurs soon escalated into accusations — loud, public, and pointed.
Shortly after her death was announced, disturbing allegations began to circulate that Shimite may have been a victim of domestic violence. Several unverified reports alleged that she had been in an abusive marriage and that her death might not have been entirely “natural.”
The Delta State Police Command acknowledged that it had received a formal petition from members of Shimite’s family, accusing her husband, Pastor David Love, of potential involvement in her death. The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed that the matter was under investigation. He also revealed that Pastor Love was placed in protective custody after he raised concerns that his life was under threat from some members of the deceased’s family.
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In his own report to the police, David claimed that Shimite had suddenly fallen ill and died in their home. However, he offered little detail about the cause or circumstances of her illness, feeding public speculation and media frenzy.
In the absence of an official autopsy report — or at least one made public — the rumour mill has continued to spin, fueled by half-truths, assumptions, and now, a grieving husband’s furious claims.
Nearly a month after Shimite’s death, Pastor David Favour Love took to social media with a series of emotional and confrontational posts. In them, he mourns his wife, professes his enduring love, and drops bombshell allegations against her family and unnamed forces whom he accuses of launching a coordinated smear campaign against him.
“My own personal and special Angel, this is not when you should go,” David wrote, his pain raw and unfiltered. “I CAN’T SAY GOODBYE My Precious Wife and Heartbeat. This is too much for me. I love you for life. You forever have a place in my heart.”
But beyond the sorrow, David was clearly ready for battle.
“I’m going to release all the proofs of things that amounted to your death to anyone who wants to expose evil and share truths. I’m done keeping quiet!”
In one of his most explosive claims, David accused Shimite’s family of breaking into their home after her death and stealing their marriage certificate and other valuables, including jewelry.
“The registrar in Abuja confessed that they visited her office to ask her to deny our marriage,” he alleged. “They want to bury you and even make the government of Delta State appear as an unlawful government. The World shall know the whole truth.”
David and Shimite’s relationship is now being dissected under a harsh public light. While it is confirmed that they were legally married — a fact supported by David’s reference to an official marriage certificate and a registrar in Abuja — questions abound about the state of their union in the months leading up to her death.
Was Shimite a victim of emotional or physical abuse? Did she try to seek help? Were there signs that something was wrong? These questions remain unanswered — at least officially. Several friends of the deceased have been quoted anonymously in online reports suggesting that she had become increasingly withdrawn in recent months. However, no concrete evidence has emerged to confirm or disprove claims of abuse.
David, for his part, maintains his innocence and insists he was a loving husband being persecuted by a vengeful family and manipulative public narratives.
“Evil shall never depart from all who assisted our enemies to do evil reportage. God ensured they couldn’t destroy me after they believed they removed you with their different fabrication of your death,” he wrote.
His social media tirade has drawn mixed reactions. Some sympathize with his grief and defend his right to speak out. Others see his posts as unhinged, emotionally manipulative, and possibly an attempt to sway public opinion ahead of legal developments.
SP Bright Edafe’s earlier statements indicated that investigations were ongoing. The police have neither declared David a suspect nor cleared him of involvement. For now, he remains in “protective custody,” a phrase that evokes as many questions as it answers.
Is he being protected because credible threats have been made against him? Or is the police buying time to complete an autopsy and compile enough evidence for possible charges?
No postmortem results have been released to the public. If one has been conducted, the findings have not been disclosed. This lack of transparency from the authorities has only amplified conspiracy theories and increased calls from civil society for an independent inquiry.
Women’s rights activists are demanding clarity and accountability. The Delta State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) issued a statement calling for a full investigation, urging the police to take all domestic violence allegations seriously and protect any evidence that could be useful in determining the cause of death.
“We are monitoring developments closely,” the FIDA statement read. “No one should get away with murder, if indeed there is foul play involved.”
Shimite’s death has also sparked a larger conversation about the intersection of power, patriarchy, and silence. As a prominent female leader in government, her alleged victimhood challenges assumptions about the safety and autonomy of women, even those in positions of influence.
It also reveals the cultural tensions that often arise in high-profile deaths in Nigeria — where spiritual, legal, and familial interests clash, and the truth is often buried in layers of secrecy and tradition.
David’s claim that Shimite’s family attempted to “erase” their marriage has implications beyond personal legacy. In Nigeria, where inheritance laws and burial rites often hinge on the legitimacy of marital status, a disputed marriage certificate could alter everything — from who plans the funeral to who claims property, to whether children (if any) are recognized by both families.
If it’s true, as David alleges, that efforts were made to discredit their union posthumously, then a deep rift exists — one possibly fueled by longstanding tension, mistrust, or even hidden family secrets.
Shimite’s burial arrangements are reportedly underway, though it remains unclear whether Pastor David will play any role in the process. There are unconfirmed reports that he has been excluded from family decisions regarding her final rites.
This exclusion, if true, could escalate tensions and trigger legal disputes over property, inheritance, and reputation.
Meanwhile, David has vowed to release “proof” of all the injustices he claims have been committed against him and his late wife. Whether these proofs — if made public — will vindicate him or further complicate his story remains to be seen.
Across social media, reactions to the saga have been deeply divided.
Some commenters, especially among David’s followers in the religious community, have urged patience, warning against jumping to conclusions. Others are less sympathetic, accusing him of using grief as a smokescreen for possible culpability.
“This whole thing smells,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). “If you loved her that much, how did she die so suddenly in your house and you didn’t explain a single medical detail?”
Another user said: “Whether guilty or not, this man is in pain. Can we at least allow a proper investigation before crucifying him?”
The silence of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has also been noted. Beyond an official condolence message released by his media office shortly after Shimite’s death, he has remained tight-lipped. Some analysts believe this is a strategic move to avoid further politicizing the issue until investigations are complete.
There is no escaping the fact that Shimite Love’s death has opened a Pandora’s box of personal grief, public suspicion, and institutional silence. The path forward must now prioritize truth — not speculation, not sentiment, but hard evidence and due process.
The Delta State Government must ensure that an independent autopsy is carried out, and results made public. The Police must treat both the allegations from the deceased’s family and Pastor David’s counterclaims with equal seriousness. And most of all, the Nigerian justice system must once again prove it can function fairly and transparently in high-stakes cases.
As for Pastor David Favour Love, his words continue to echo across the internet like a man torn between love and rage, grief and vindication.
“I want you back,” he wrote. “My complete satisfaction. I’m done keeping quiet.”
Only time, and truth, will reveal whether his voice will bring closure — or more chaos.
