By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has removed the official Facebook page of Nigerian activist and politician Omoyele Sowore following mass reports allegedly initiated by members of the Obidient movement, supporters of Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
The takedown follows escalating tensions between the two former presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Omoyele Sowore, who have recently exchanged sharp criticisms on social media.
None of the two politicians mentioned each other by name in their posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. However, a review of their posts and the history behind them clearly indicated who they were referring to.
The dispute began after Sahara Reporters, the news platform founded by Sowore, published a story alleging that Peter Obi sought a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Rome to discuss a ₦225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank, a financial institution Mr Obi once led. Obi denied the claims on his X account, describing the story as “baseless, malicious, and entirely false.” He clarified that his only encounter with President Tinubu during the Vatican event was a brief, coincidental meeting at the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV.
In response, Obi referred to Sowore as a “blackmailer” and a “self-proclaimed blackmailer-in-chief,” escalating the rivalry.
Following this exchange, Sowore’s Facebook page was reportedly taken down after a coordinated mass reporting effort by Obidient supporters.
Neither Meta nor representatives of the Obidient movement have issued official statements regarding the removal.
This incident highlights the increasingly contentious nature of Nigeria’s digital political landscape, where social media platforms serve as critical arenas for political discourse and competition.
The use of reporting tools to target opposing voices raises important questions about freedom of expression and political engagement in the country.
As of this report, Sowore’s Facebook page remains inaccessible, and further details surrounding the removal are yet to be disclosed.