Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju on Saturday night criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his supporters, known as “Obidients,” for targeting Omoyele Sowore.
Adeyanju spoke in Abuja through a statement he signed and made available to Vanguard.
He accused Obidients of mobilising to report and disable Sowore’s Facebook page simply because Sowore “speaks the truth” about Peter Obi.
According to Adeyanju, mass-reporting Sowore’s page is “undemocratic” and aimed at silencing a dissenting voice.
He described the move as a shameful attempt to hide uncomfortable realities about Obi’s record in public office.
Adeyanju said that genuine democracy thrives on open debate, not on muzzling critics.
He argued that Peter Obi’s tenure as Anambra State governor was marked by unfulfilled promises.
He pointed out that public hospitals in Anambra endured doctors’ strikes and that educational reforms faltered under Obi’s watch.
He reminded Nigerians that local government elections never took place during Obi’s eight years in office.
Adeyanju also raised the unresolved killings of members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) between 2006 and 2014.
He said those cases remain a stain on Obi’s legacy and deserve public scrutiny rather than silence.
“This coordinated attack on Sowore’s page was sponsored and supported by Obi’s camp,” Adeyanju charged.
He accused Obi himself of sanctioning the page-blocking campaign by failing to condemn his followers.
Adeyanju noted that Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, has consistently campaigned for transparency and accountability.
He said Sowore’s activism predates his own involvement in Nigerian politics.
Adeyanju recalled that Sowore led the #RevolutionNow protests in 2019 to demand good governance across the country.
He insisted that critics should engage Sowore’s arguments rather than resort to online takedowns.
Adeyanju affirmed that no one harbours personal hatred toward Peter Obi.
He clarified that his concern lies with the “lies and image-washing” spread by partisan supporters.
He warned stakeholders against turning Nigerian politics into a cult of personality.
“We must demand truth and accountability from all leaders,” Adeyanju said.
He urged Obi’s camp to allow free speech and robust criticism in a healthy democracy.
Adeyanju appealed to Obidients to retract their complaint and restore Sowore’s Facebook page immediately.
He pledged to mobilise legal action if the page remained disabled without due process.
Adeyanju said that social media platforms should protect users from mass-reporting abuse.
He called on Facebook to review its policies to prevent politically motivated takedowns.
Adeyanju praised civil society groups for condemning the page-blocking campaign.
He invited other activists to join a broader coalition defending free expression online.
He announced plans to host an open forum on digital rights later this month in Abuja.
Adeyanju said the forum would bring together lawyers, journalists, and tech experts to chart a way forward.
He stressed that the battle for democracy now extends to cyberspace.
Adeyanju also called on international rights bodies to monitor social media censorship in Nigeria.
He referred to recent global alerts about shrinking digital freedoms in several African democracies.
Adeyanju cautioned that complacency could pave the way for authoritarian tactics online.
He urged Nigerians to resist any attempt to manipulate platforms for partisan ends.
Adeyanju thanked those who had spoken out in solidarity with Sowore.
He specifically mentioned lawyers’ groups and human-rights organisations.
He said their collective voice sent a clear message that digital bullying will not be tolerated.
Adeyanju expressed hope that Peter Obi himself would publicly distance himself from the attacks.
He said a simple apology and a pledge to uphold free speech would go a long way.
Adeyanju noted that Obi’s national profile carries heavy responsibility to defend democratic norms.
He warned that failure to act could erode public confidence in Obi’s leadership credentials.
Adeyanju reminded Nigerians that every public figure must answer to the court of opinion.
He said open debate strengthens institutions, while censorship undermines them.
Adeyanju appealed to young Nigerians watching these events to hold all politicians to account.
He said the next generation deserves leaders who welcome scrutiny and learn from criticism.
Adeyanju concluded by affirming his commitment to defending digital rights across Nigeria.
He invited citizens to report any future attempts to silence dissent online.
He announced the launch of a hotline for victims of mass-reporting abuse on social media.
Adeyanju said the service would be available free of charge to ensure broad access.
He pledged to continue challenging any infringement of fundamental freedoms.
By taking a stand against the Obidients’ actions, Adeyanju declared that democracy in Nigeria must be robust both offline and online.
He warned that shutting down voices like Sowore’s would only weaken the nation’s democratic fabric.
Adeyanju’s intervention has reignited debate over social-media governance and political tolerance in Nigeria.
As discussions unfold, Nigerians await a response from Peter Obi and his followers on these serious allegations.
Until then, the battle for free expression in Nigeria’s digital sphere continues.
