Selective Outrage: The Hypocrisy of Advocacy in Nigeria By Kamal Rahman

Nigeria’s online activism has a credibility problem. Public outrage is no longer driven by facts or fairness, but by personal relationships, political loyalty, and convenience. Many Nigerians only stand for the oppressed when they have no emotional, social, or political ties to the alleged oppressor.

Recent incidents on Twitter/X reveal this hypocrisy in stark terms. When actress Toyin Abraham acted against Ayo, a social media user who repeatedly cyberbullied her, the backlash was immediate. Influencers framed her response as an abuse of power and an attempt to silence dissent. What was largely ignored, however, was the nature of the provocation. The attacks reportedly extended beyond criticism and involved her child, a line universally regarded as unacceptable.


Yet, Toyin was condemned.


Months later, when Motara and Alabi reportedly picked up another Twitter user for bullying them, the response was noticeably different. The same online voices that demanded restraint and “free speech” in Toyin’s case offered understanding, justification, and silence. There was little outrage, no sustained campaigns, and no moral grandstanding.


The actions were similar. The reactions were not. The difference lay in alliances.


Motara and Alabi are perceived allies within Nigeria’s Twitter influence circle. Toyin Abraham, on the other hand, has previously expressed support for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a political stance that has made her a permanent target of hostility in certain online spaces. That political association, rather than the facts of the case, shaped public judgment.


This pattern exposes a deeper issue: online advocacy in Nigeria is increasingly conditional. Cyberbullying is condemned only when the victim is politically acceptable. Some actions are called “oppression” only when taken by someone viewed as an enemy.


You cannot claim to defend free speech while excusing harassment.

You cannot condemn intimidation in one case and justify it in another.

And you cannot claim moral authority when justice depends on who you like.


Children should be off-limits. Cyberbullying should be condemned. Accountability should be consistent.


Until Nigerians learn to separate personal bias from principle, online outrage will remain selective and justice will continue to be transactional rather than truthful.

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