Lagos govt announces sudden Oro festival to stop national protest, but Nigerians react saying, “it’s a huge joke, no going back’

*It’s abuse of power using state machinery to impose occultism on Muslims, Christians of Lagos State on artificial ground, Nigerians kick

*Why are South West states’ indigenes so partucular about Lagos? Abanikanda Olumoro asks

*The “Oro Festival” is about witnessing a REVOLUTIONARY transformation – Omoyele Sowore

*The prestigious Oro Festival is now a political tool – Aisha Yesufu

*They have dragged Yoruba gods & culture into politics – NEFERTITI

*As De Renaissance Patriots warn Sanwo-Olu, “This is not time for Oro, don’t destroy our customs and traditions”

*Ask, “Again and for the Oro festival, will govt declare a work free week?”

By KEMI KASUMU

Characteristic of them, we gathered, the non-indigenous Lagos residents who have held on to political power in Lagos State have announced an emergency Oro Festival, but this non-election time, to stop the nationwide protest that Nigerians have concluded to do against hardship that has ravaged their lives for over one year now.

Although there was no evidence that the announcement, credited to Lagospedia @lagospedia on July 24, 2024, was by Lagos State Government, many that spoke about it said it is the way of the Bola Tinubu-control government of the state to take actions or implements policies by proxy but, this time around, they said it can only remain within the figment of its imagination to think that an “artificial” occultist means will be used to deprive citizens of Nigeria living in Lagos State from exercising their constitutional rights of protest.

They kicked saying it is abuse of power for the same people, who were voted into power after seeking votes of Muslims and Christians and having been sworn in by the Qur’an and Bibke, to now turn around using the same state machinery to impose occultism on those Muslims and Christians of Lagos State even as such action is in breach of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Oro festival has been trending on X, formally known as Twitter, after the pro-Lagos social media page announced that the festival would take place during the planned nationwide protests of between August 1 through August 15, 2024.

Many Nigerians, especially the youths, representing various groups, are planning a nationwide protest from August 1 – 10 to oppose the rising cost of living and economic hardship in the country.

But on Wednesday night, July 24, Lagospedia announced that the Oro festival will be observed in various communities across Lagos from August 1 to August 15.

The post read, “Attention residents and visitors of Lagos. Please be informed that the Oro festival will be observed in various communities across Lagos from the 1st of August to August 15. This traditional Yoruba cultural event involves significant rituals.”

Many Nigerians responded to this announcement by saying it seemed like a weak attempt to stop the planned #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria protest.

They noted that the Oro festival often coincides with elections and now, conveniently, with planned protests aimed at holding the government accountable.

The Oro festival, celebrated by various Yoruba towns and settlements, is an annual event involving significant rituals and is only celebrated by male descendants of the specific locations.

In Lagos State, indugenous Lagosians are not with the government on this incessant attempt by non-indigenes from South West Yoruba states, who are governing their state unlawfully and in the process trying to change the laws in ways that bastarduse the customs and traditions.

Some other Nigerians have criticised some “stomach infrastructure” Lagos traditional leaders for allegedly accepting to be pushed with money and threats of thugs by the non-indigenous politicians to destroy their own land, a thing said to have its repacaution on them for using the Oro festival to politicise and block the planned protest, which they insist must go on.

Abanikanda Olumoro reacts from UK

United Kingdom based writer, Abanikan Olumoro, has just sent an exclusive message asking this fellow Yoruba from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states, “Why are you so much particular about Lagos and not your own states where your indigeneship, by constitutional rights, are domiciled? Well ohin t’ontan l’odun eegun (festival of masquerade does last for long).

“You should be ashamed because Lagos State owners and indigenes are poised and have resourced to take back their State and you cannot stop them. So, if Nigerians are staging nationwide protest against bad government in Abuja, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Gombe, Sokoto etc, don’t think anyone will take you serious to say it is a Lagosvshiw. No. It is a show for Nigeria being staged by Nigerians across tribes and religions. Presudent Tinunu has begged them not to protest but you have spoilt all ofvtgat because these Nigerians I see, from information I receive daily, are not going back regardless of military and police forces you are deploying.

De Renaissance Patriots school Lagos hovt

Lagos natives, under the aegis of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, have warned that Yoruba will regret the hiding-behind-one-finger show they are putting up in Lagos State to the detriment of Lagos owners and indigenes.

Reacting in a one-on-one impromptu reaction to tge development, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation through its Media Office, on Thursday, said:

“This government is bastardizing our cultures and traditions. What business does the state government have with ‘Oro’ and for what purpose?

“Let’s assume that the protesters defy this and we think they should, how will the state enforce it as such enforcement is tantamount to restriction of their fundamental human rights of freedom of movement, association etc? Again and for the Oro festival, will govt declare a work free week?

“Government should separate our traditions from this impending madness. What will government do to assuage the feelings of those who will not be able to do their legitimate business during this period of malaise that the government is getting into?

“Yorubas will regret this unconscionable act of the government hiding behind this spiritual and traditional act in trying to scuttle the protest. Can’t they find another means?”

Angry anonymous Lagos native

Another Lagosian, who is averse to the politicisation of Lagos customs and traditions by people he called strangers, “The Nigerian people should defy the “Oro cult.” The cult will be de-mystified and lose its relevance. The Lagos traditionalists are gradually overstepping their boundaries and legally liable for damages from their actions.

“The state government should inform the public if they will allow the Oro cult to come out in public during the daytime and deprive the citizens of their constitutional rights of freedom of movement and association. I know that as an indigene, this is not the season for the Oro festival. It is pure madness and rape on our culture.

“I’m calling on the state government to sheath the sword of Oro festival followers and avoid a breakdown of law and order. It is in the state government’s best interest.

“The majority of our rulers in Lagos State are non-indigenes and are using their temporary political power to intimidate the citizenry and cause public disorder. The citizens have the right to defend themselves if they are attacked by the street urchins and thugs.

“Most of them are not familiar with our culture and traditions. Nah political Oro cult to be unleashed in Lagos State from 01 – 15 August,” the angry Lagos native said his mind.

Other reactions on X

The “Oro Festival” is about witnessing a REVOLUTIONARY transformation; it is about seeing a real Festival – the Festival of the Oppressed! #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #DaysOfRage #RevolutionNow https://t.co/vTUjCbZGsK pic.twitter.com/upCo45qxqj

— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) July 24, 2024

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.

— #OurFavOnlineDoc (@OurFavOnlineDoc) July 24, 2024

The prestigious Oro Festival is now a political tool.

Y’all now understand why they tried to ban Gangs of Lagos because it exposed them.

pic.twitter.com/K3juDDznT4

— Aisha Yusuf Jibrilla (@ukocarter) July 24, 2024

They have dragged Yoruba gods & culture into politics. Deciding to hold Oro Festival on the days of peaceful protests against Bad Governance, is cowardice.

No one disrespects Yoruba Culture more the Lagos APC. I hope you won’t accuse non-Yorubas of disrespecting Yoruba culture?

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) July 24, 2024