The Take It Back (TIB) Movement has strongly criticized Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, over the suspension of the account belonging to Nigerian human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
In a formal petition sent to Meta’s global headquarters in Menlo Park, California, the movement’s Director General, Dr. Chidi Nwanyanwu, voiced “serious concern and disappointment” over what it described as an “unjust and arbitrary” restriction of Sowore’s Facebook profile.
According to the letter, the action violates fundamental rights to free expression and sets a troubling example for the suppression of political voices, particularly in Africa. “This is not just about one individual,” the statement reads. “It’s about protecting civic space and ensuring that platforms like Facebook are not weaponized against democratic engagement.”
Sowore, who founded the TIB Movement, has consistently used Facebook to promote political awareness, mobilize citizens, and advocate for democratic reforms. The group emphasized that his digital presence is a crucial tool for peaceful activism and public engagement.
TIB’s letter to Meta outlined several grievances, including the absence of clear justification, lack of due process, and failure to engage with the affected party. The organization accused the tech giant of acting without transparency and warned that such actions undermine trust in global digital platforms.
The movement issued four specific demands to Meta:
1. The immediate and unconditional reactivation of Sowore’s Facebook account;
2. A full explanation for the suspension, including the policies allegedly violated;
3. Assurance of due process in handling similar cases involving civic and political figures;
4. Direct dialogue with African civil society groups to prevent misuse of content moderation tools.
Dr. Nwanyanwu warned that continued silence or inaction from Meta could trigger wider protests and legal efforts aimed at defending digital rights. He urged the company to address the matter “urgently and justly,” noting that the world is watching how it handles this high-profile case.
The complaint was formally filed on May 24, 2025, through the movement’s international communication channels.
