In response to planned protests across the nation about the country’s dire state, the government, after meeting with top traditional monarchs, seems to use the traditional institutions to block off the protests. In Lagos, there has been an announcement that the Oro festival would take place during the planned nationwide protests.
Many Nigerians, especially the youths, representing various groups, are planning a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10 to oppose the rising cost of living and economic hardship in the country.
On Wednesday night, July 24, an X handle – Lagospedia announced that the Oro festival will be observed in various communities across Lagos from August 1 to August 15.
The post reads, “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 Orò festival, celebrated by various Yoruba towns and settlements, is an annual event involving significant rituals and is only celebrated by male descendants of specific locations.
Some Nigerians have criticized Lagos traditional leaders for allegedly using the Oro festival to politicize and block the planned protest, which they insist must go on.
In a similar vein, The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has called on youths to shelve the idea of protests. He has also asked the Federal Government to speed up efforts in implementing its economic policies to ease the current hardship faced by Nigerians.
The monarch, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, in Benin on Wednesday, appealed to Nigerians to postpone the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024.
The monarch said this will allow the government time to execute its economic strategies
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