Nigerian human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has spoken out against the recent blocking of activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore’s Facebook account by Meta, following alleged mass reporting by a group identified as ‘Obidients’—supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Effiong made the statement via his social media handle on Saturday, expressing deep concern over the development and describing the incident as a “travesty.”
“Sowore has used his influence to rescue Nigerians from oppression and wrongful imprisonment. Targeting his Facebook account is a travesty. Victims have been saved because they were able to reach him via Facebook. This is unacceptable,” Effiong stated.
The blockage of Sowore’s Facebook account has sparked outrage among activists and civil rights advocates who say the platform has long served as a critical tool for reaching out to victims of human rights violations and raising awareness about cases of injustice.
Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters and a former presidential candidate, is known for his activism and has played a significant role in highlighting cases of arbitrary detention and government overreach in Nigeria. His social media presence has been a vital channel for engaging with the public and mobilizing support for various human rights causes.
Effiong’s condemnation adds to growing concerns about the abuse of social media reporting systems to silence dissenting voices and activists. Many have called on Meta to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blocking of Sowore’s account and to restore access, emphasizing the platform’s responsibility in upholding freedom of expression.
As of the time of this report, Meta has not issued an official statement on the matter
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