TIB Global Condemns Facebook Account Ban of Omoyele Sowore, Demands Immediate Reversal

The Take It Back Movement has issued a formal complaint to Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, condemning the “unjust blocking” of the Facebook account belonging to Nigerian human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

In a letter addressed to Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, the Director General of the movement, Dr. Chidi Nwanyanwu, expressed “deep concern and strong dissatisfaction” over the restriction of Mr. Sowore’s account.

The action, according to the letter, represents “a grave infringement on his right to freedom of expression” and sets a “dangerous precedent for silencing voices of dissent and progressive civic engagement in Africa and globally.”

Mr. Sowore, who is also the convener of the Take It Back Movement, has long utilized Facebook as a platform for “political advocacy, public enlightenment, citizen mobilization, and the peaceful promotion of democratic ideals,” the movement noted.

The letter criticized Meta for what it called an “arbitrary” and “damaging” decision, particularly highlighting the “lack of adequate explanation, due process, or engagement” surrounding the restriction of the account.

The movement is demanding four key actions from Meta:

1. Immediate and unconditional restoration of Omoyele Sowore’s Facebook account;
2. A comprehensive explanation detailing the reason for the restriction;
3. A commitment to due process and fair review mechanisms in future cases involving civic leaders;
4. Engagement with civic stakeholders in Africa to ensure Meta’s content policies are not misused for political repression.

Dr. Nwanyanwu warned that failure to address the issue swiftly and transparently would force the group to consider “broader campaigns and legal avenues to challenge this suppression and defend the digital rights of our members and the wider public.”

He concluded the letter with a strong appeal to Meta to “take the necessary steps to correct this injustice without delay.”

The complaint, dated May 24, 2025, was sent via official correspondence from the movement’s international contact email.