The Truth You Fear: Exposing Ismail Omipidan’s Legal Illiteracy and APC’s Desperation
By Engr Shakbab
Ismail Omipidan’s latest outburst is yet another reminder that when ignorance shouts, truth must thunder even louder. It is both laughable and tragic how someone so clearly lacking in legal understanding still parades himself as an “online lawyer,” spewing half-baked opinions that are as misleading as they are embarrassing. Being a journalist doesn’t make you a legal scholar; it simply gives you a platform—one you’ve continuously abused with reckless misinformation.
Let’s set the record straight: Governor Ademola Adeleke has consistently respected the rule of law. His administration has upheld judicial rulings with integrity and has always prioritized due process. This stands in stark contrast to your so-called leaders, who seek to weaponize Federal Might while trampling on Nigeria’s democratic principles. But no matter how loudly they shout, the people of Osun have spoken, and they’ve rejected you and your failed narratives once and for all.
Now, let’s confront the undeniable legal facts that you and your APC allies continue to willfully ignore:
The legal status of the October 2022 Osun local government elections has been conclusively resolved by two separate court judgments that nullified the flawed electoral process. The first judgment was secured by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the second came from a suit filed by the Action Peoples Party (APP).
Here’s where your arguments crumble under the weight of truth:
- The APC appealed both judgments, but in the APP case, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, reaffirming the trial court’s decision as final and binding. No superior court has overturned this ruling—only the Supreme Court holds the jurisdictional authority to change this settled legal position.
- In the PDP’s case, the Court of Appeal struck out the suit on procedural grounds, stating that it was filed out of time. This decision did not validate the October 2022 elections; it merely dismissed the case on a technicality without addressing the actual legitimacy of the elections. Crucially, the Court of Appeal did not issue any order to reinstate the ousted APC officials.
- The APP judgment, which categorically voided the election, remains valid and unimpeached. It is a well-established legal principle that a valid and subsisting judgment stands as the definitive legal position unless overturned by a higher court.
What’s even more revealing—and utterly disgraceful—is how your bias blinds you to the facts. Your article conveniently omits the fact that Lateef Fagbemi remained completely silent on the recent Appeal Court ruling that favored the APP in suit FHC/OS/CS/103/2022. This selective interpretation exposes not only your bias but also raises serious questions about Fagbemi’s so-called impartiality and potential partisan motivations.
Moreover, your narrative falls apart entirely when considering recent developments. An Osun State High Court in Ilesa has ordered the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to conduct fresh elections to fill the vacant positions of local government chairmen and councilors across all 30 local governments in the state. This ruling underscores the clear legal reality: the previous elections were voided, and new elections must be conducted in accordance with the law.
Your refusal to acknowledge this judgment, much like your failure to accept the legal defeat during the 2022 Governorship election petition, reflects a desperate attempt to cling to relevance. Even Lateef Fagbemi, the APC’s loyal counsel who led Oyetola’s defense and failed spectacularly all the way to the Supreme Court, couldn’t salvage your broken arguments.
You speak of the rule of law, yet you twist facts and mislead the public, turning a blind eye to clear legal realities. Your actions are not those of someone who values democracy or truth—they’re the actions of a partisan mouthpiece, drowning in hypocrisy and desperation.
You speak of Osun’s future and conscience, yet it’s voices like yours—loud, divisive, and misinformed—that threaten progress. Let me remind you of a Yoruba proverb that suits your situation perfectly: “Tí ẹ̀fọ́ bá pé lójú èpo pẹ̀lẹ́bẹ̀, ó máa dàn wò”—No matter how long spinach stays in palm oil, it will eventually shine. The truth will always rise above your desperate attempts to bury it.
If your so-called leaders genuinely respect democracy, tell them to follow the law and stop hiding behind the illusion of Federal Might. Until then, I suggest you seek genuine legal knowledge before coming online to spew another round of baseless misinformation.
The people of Osun have spoken—and they have rejected you, your lies, and your failed political manipulations. Nothing you say will change the reality that the will of the people—and the rule of law—has prevailed.
