Rishabh Sharma says “never try to ruin someone’s life with a lie when yours can be destroyed by the truth” as in the case of defamatory post by a minnow, Ismaila Ashipa against His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

One should not have paid attention to a purported Facebook post by a willful Ashipa titled “Vindictive GSM – one of the skilful footballer who got 3SC promoted to the Premier Division recently, Mr Abubakar Adeyemi, defensive midfielder with jersey number 4, has been sacked”. The post was not only slanderous, vicious, malicious but damaging to the character of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde and deserve to be treated as a matter of necessity.

As a pathological and tactless person, Ashipa again posted a fake and libelous story on his Facebook page. This false story had generated debate among political divide including observers who deserve to know the truth of the matter. It was a figment of imagination of Ashipa who is hell bent in destroying the good reputation the people’s Governor is enjoying not only in State or in the country but across the globe

Ashipa’s compulsive lying has created an illusion of the truth by distorting the fact to mislead the general public both at home and abroad.

To put it on record, Governor Seyi Makinde has been a very tolerant, compassionate and thoughtful leader. He has demonstrated the spirit of fairness to the citizens of Oyo State irrespective of faith, political affiliation, ethnicity, race and gender.

Like we have witnessed in some part of country, Governor Makinde does not play politics of bitterness, has no preferential treatment in handling the affairs of the State and has not neglected any area or sector of governance.

It is therefore a sheer ignorance for Ismaila Ashipa to have called His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde ‘vindictive’ of any sort. Truth be told, to correct the unfounded allegations and exposed Ashipa’s motive behind concocted lies and falsehoods to continue in the employment of his paymasters.

In fact, the said player, Mr Abubakar Adeyemi, the son of a PDP chieftain was not sacked but still on the club’s payroll received September salary and entitlements along with other players of the club contrary to the fake stories and rumours doing the rounds as fabricated by Ismaila Ashipa.

It is instructive to note that Ashipa rationale behind the malicious post targeting Governor Makinde is playing the script of his paymasters to whip sentiments thereby instigating disaffection and causing disunity in the State which might lead to anarchy and disrupt the activities of Government.

Ashipa is a perpetual fake stories writer based on background checks, as he lacks integrity and honour. He can be described as a scavenger looking for means of livelihood at all costs. To stay afloat, Ashipa is willing to do any dirty job available by feeding the public with all sort of misinformation without thinking of consequences. He has been working tirelessly for his paymasters by writing unpalatable stories especially against Governor Seyi Makinde’s personality.

Ashipa is oblivious of the fact that it is honourable for a man to remain silence than involve in unsavory talks or writing.

Without a doubt, freedom of speech guarantees the right to express idea and opinion. Nonetheless, there are limitations or boundaries to freedom of speech with strong consequences for negative comments such as libel, slander, defamation, incitement to mention but a few.

Freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to say, write, or published anything capable of harming the reputation of another person. To that extent, any person or individuals who commit libel for instance can be subjected to civil and criminal penalties. Hence, for Ismaila Ashipa to have published false statement on his Facebook page and made false accusations against His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde in the public domain is an aggressive act which is enforceable and punishable under the law.

Libel is considered an area of unprotected speech not covered by freedom of speech which prompted Governor Makinde’s Solicitors, Kunle Kalejaye& Co. to file a defamatory case against Ismaila Ashipa’s derogatory report and hateful rhetoric posted on his Facebook page as widely read by the general public globally.

Governor Makinde remains committed to the business of governance in Oyo State and will not be distracted by some disgruntled elements who are determined to tarnish his well-earned reputation for being a trustworthy leader.

The giant developmental strides being recorded in agribusiness, education, infrastructure, economy, health, security and sports will continue for the betterment of the general public under the able leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde.

Jamiu Akano