Sowore Condemns Alleged Traditional Cleansing of TikToker Wasila Over Masquerade Video

By Gloria Drealomalicha

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the alleged traditional cleansing of popular Nigerian TikToker, Wasila, following reports that she underwent a spiritual ritual after filming an Oloolu masquerade procession in Ibadan.

The controversy erupted after the content creator, identified as Wasilat, reportedly disguised herself as a man to film the sacred Oloolu masquerade procession, despite longstanding cultural beliefs that prohibit women from viewing or recording the traditional rite.

According to reports, she later developed unexplained bleeding and fell ill, prompting a public traditional cleansing ceremony at the Oloolu shrine to avert what adherents described as spiritual consequences. However, conflicting accounts have since emerged over her condition, with some social media users claiming she died, while others insist she is recovering. Those claims remain unverified.

The incident has sparked widespread debate across social media, with many Nigerians divided over the intersection of cultural traditions, human rights and personal freedom.

Reacting on his verified social media account, Sowore argued that while cultural heritage should be respected, it must never be used to justify actions that undermine fundamental human rights or strip individuals of their dignity.

“I learned today that a TikToker underwent a traditional ‘cleansing’ ritual after filming an Oloolu masquerade procession,” he wrote.

Sowore maintained that culture has an important place in society but insisted that practices that are oppressive, discriminatory or rooted in gender-based exclusion should have no place in a modern democratic society.

He further argued that Wasila was allegedly subjected to public humiliation and stripped of her dignity by people who, according to him, are often quick to condemn similar abuses when perpetrated by extremist groups.

“It does not matter whether such abuse is carried out by Islamists, traditionalists, or anyone else,” Sowore said.

The activist stressed that no culture, tradition or belief system should be allowed to override fundamental human rights, insisting that any practice that violates the dignity and rights of individuals cannot be justified under the guise of preserving cultural heritage.