Despite a planned nationwide protest against economic hardship, traditional worshippers in Lagos State have announced plans to hold the Oro festival in various communities across the state from August 1 to 15.
The timing of the festival has raised concerns, as it coincides with the planned nationwide protests against economic hardship.
A notice circulating on social media since Wednesday, July 24, informed residents and visitors of the upcoming festival.
The notice read, “Please be informed that the Oro Festival will be observed in various communities across Lagos from 1st of August to August 15. This traditional Yoruba cultural event involves significant rituals.”
The Oro festival, a sacred tradition in Yoruba culture, is typically marked with secrecy and restrictions on movement, especially for women and non-participants.
While it has already be observed on May 16, 2024, in Lagos, the new notice which coincided with the planned #EndBadGovernment protest has been said to be a move by the government to indirectly stop residents from thier right to protest.
It was also alleged that the festival has now nothing but a politcal tool.
@OurFavOnlineDoc on Twitter wrote; “Oro festival in Lagos now allegedly scheduled for the first two weeks of August. The exact same period of the planned protests by the youths. Chaiii. “So after turning billionaires to podcasters. This govt don dey turn our ancestors to political jobbers. God abeg.”
@ayemojubar said; “The Lagos Yorubas are turning their deities into political tools just because of someone like Tinubu. Even Oro itself would flee in the face of the people’s resistance.”
@IamTheIroko wrote; “When will this shamelessness end.? How much is too much to the point of make a mockery of traditional deities. Shame.”
@DrEffiong_John said: “You guys are easily predictable. “Your Oro festival is now a political tool. I’m happy you guys are the ones bringing it to ridicule. We’ll help you ridicule it the more, don’t worry. Bunch of reprobates.”
Presidential hopeful, Omoyele Sowore, tweeted; “The “Oro Festival” is about witnessing a REVOLUTIONARY transformation; it is about seeing a real Festival – the Festival of the Oppressed!”
Recall that ahead of the 2023 general elections in the state, Oro Festival was also declared with residents witnessing pots of rituals placed on several junctions and in front of some houses across the state.
Three days to the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the state, the traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Saheed Ademola, was reported to have declared a three-day “Oro rites,” claiming the festival was an annual event.
It was however believed that the scheduling of the ritual event was to prevent voters opposed to the ruling party from voting freely for candidates of their choice.
Meanwhile, state government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has however having a hand in the cultural event.
Speaking to Peoples Gazette on Wednesday, Gboyega Akosile, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, however noted that, like the youths intended to exercise their right to protest, traditional worshippers also have the right to perform their activities.
Akosile however advised the protesters and Oro adherents not to stand in each other’s way to prevent breakdown of law and order.
He said, “I saw it just like every other person did. Did you see any signatory to this statement? The answer is no! If it’s not endorsed, then it’s a nullity. However, traditional religious worshippers have the right to carry out their worship at any time. Whether it coincides with the dates of the protests or not. I’m not sure it removes anything from the fact that they have their right to carry out their traditional worship.
“You want to protest, I want to do my worship, it’s my right. It is now right versus right. As long as your own right does not disturb my own right, there won’t be crisis, let everybody be doing their thing.’’
Akosile however noted that if the protest turned violent, security agencies would be on hand to ensure that it didn’t turn bloody.
