TWISTING THE NARRATIVE: HOW OMALE OMALE RELIED ON DOCTORED POST TO EVADE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE DEATH OF ERNEST
* “The Man Dies in All Who Keep Silent in the Face of Tyranny.” – Soyinka (So did Ernest Died, and May no other Youth Suffer the same Fate in Apa Again)
By Morgan Adikwu
The tragic demise of Ernest Owoicho, has left an indelible scar on the Apa community. But beyond the pain, what is more reprehensible is the desperate attempt to twist the narrative, shift the blame, and ultimately dance on the grave of the young man.
This tragedy, layered with alleged political vendettas, militarized brutality, and an aggressive propaganda campaign, is now being recast by Hon. Omale Omale and his spokesman, Adanu Isaiah, whose tactics resemble those of Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda chief who once declared: “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”
Let us strip away the noise and examine the facts.
At 11:17 A.M., on the 6th of April, 2025, the late Ernest’s partner – the mother of his children – made a direct and emotional post. In that post, she accused the Council Chairman, and Omale Omale of orchestrating the arrest and subsequent killing of Ernest through military action. This post came in the heat of grief, raw and unfiltered – a powerful statement.
Then, by 11:40 A.M., the post was edited, and again by 11:54 A.M., this time conspicuously removing the names of Omale and the Council Chairman. These edits, made within the space of less than 40 minutes, are deeply suspect. Observers claim the alterations were done under duress – threats, coercion, or inducement – especially considering the political gravity of the accusations. Screenshot evidence and screen recordings of the original and edited posts show a clear pattern of narrative manipulation, and it is attached.
Rather than address the substance of the original allegation or even express concern over the death of a young man he claims to have helped, Hon. Omale instead latched onto the edited version of the post – an act akin to building a house on quicksand. His comment on the publication smugly sidestepped the weight of the original accusation and instead attacked the messenger.
Worse still is the response authored by Adanu Isaiah – a man who has now earned the ignominious badge of “Goebbels of Omale,” promoting the Nazist and Fascist regime in Apa. His rebuttal, riddled with insults, half-truths, and what can only be described as weaponized misinformation, was a masterclass in character assassination and diversion. Rather than provide clarity, it vilified Ernest, ridiculed and launched personal attacks against me for reporting the gamut spectrum of circumstances that led to Ernest death.
This tactic of character assassination served as a diversion, aiming to shift focus from the pressing issues at hand.Adanu, now colloquially referred to as “Politrick Adanu,” has been relentless in propagating this deceit. His non-dimensional, illogical, and primitively awkward narratives are tailor-made for Omale’s subterfuge, further suppressing the truth with layers of deception.
But even Goebbels, for all his lies, understood the need for subtlety. Adanu, whom has been legendary for for his scurrilous and unscrupulous antics has repeatedly regurgitated this propaganda, editing his response over and over again in a frenzied effort to bury the truth under a mountain of deceit.
If Omale Omale truly had no involvement, and as the State Commissioner representing Apa, why has he not condemned the use of military force over civil matters? Why has he not called for an independent investigation into the torture and death of Ernest? Why is he silent about the disturbing trend of military deployment in Apa for political purposes?
More damning is the question of military presence in the LGA: Where were these same soldiers when armed herdsmen were killing, raping, and destroying farmlands across Apa? Why weren’t the people defended during those crises? It is only when local youths – some allegedly blacklisted – are involved that the military is swiftly mobilized. This pattern reeks of targeted suppression and political witch-hunting.
Moreover, if these boys, including Ernest, were accused of any wrongdoing, why was there no formal police report? The Divisional Police Officer has denied knowledge of the military operation that led to the death of Ernest. Who then authorized it? And who benefits from silencing Ernest?
These questions remain unanswered – deliberately ignored in favor of a publicity stunt meant to rewrite history before the grave has even settled.
No one is above the law. If there are allegations against any of the boys whose names were reportedly circulated for arrest, let the police investigate and prosecute according to due process. The military must not be used as a political tool, and certainly not as judge, jury, and executioner. This militarization of Apa is dangerous and must be condemned.
What is even more dangerous, is the perverse audacity of Omale’s camp to use doctored posts, narrative manipulation, and outright falsehoods to evade accountability. Let Ernest rest in peace. Stop dancing on his grave.
The deployment of military forces in Apa for political purposes sets a dangerous precedent. While the community has faced genuine security challenges, the selective use of military might against local youths, under the guise of maintaining order, is deeply troubling. This militarization not only suppresses dissent but also instills fear, effectively stifling the voices of those who dare to challenge the status quo.
The consequences are dire, a community living under the shadow of intimidation, where the line between civil authority and military force is blurred. The tragic death of Ernest is a confirmation to the perils of such an approach. His aspirations and potential were cut short, not by due process, but by a system that has allowed political figures to exploit military resources for personal vendett
The calls for justice are not just about Ernest. They are about preventing a repeat. They are about ensuring that no other youth in Apa suffers the same fate.
Ernest has died because of conspiracy of silence. But the truth must live.
Evidence of the original post and its suspicious edits have been attached for public scrutiny. We urge the relevant authorities, civil society groups, and all well-meaning citizens to insist on accountability and a transparent investigation
