The Lagos State Government has distanced itself from the upcoming Oro festival, rumored to take place from August 1 to 15, coinciding with the #EndBadGovernance protest. Gboyega Akosile, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that the government does not interfere in religious activities, likening the Oro festival to other religious events such as Muslim and Christian celebrations. He emphasized that traditional worshippers have the constitutional right to practice their religion without government interference, just like followers of other faiths.
Akosile reiterated that the government respects the rights of both the protesters and the traditional worshippers to carry out their activities lawfully. He stressed that while protesters have the right to demonstrate, they must do so without disrupting business activities in the state. The government will not tolerate any actions that disrupt the peace of Lagos State. Akosile pointed to the 2020 #EndSARS protest, which resulted in significant property damage and loss of life, as an event the government is determined to prevent from recurring.
The planned #EndBadGovernance protest, set to commence on August 1, has gained momentum on social media, with participants voicing their discontent over economic hardships. President Bola Tinubu has called for patience and urged the protest organizers to cancel their plans, promising a response to their grievances. The appeal was communicated by Information Minister Mohammed Idris, who conveyed the President’s stance after a meeting on the matter.
However, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, has expressed support for the protest. He criticized the Tinubu administration for trying to suppress the demonstrators, highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians, including those who supported Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku argued that the hunger, anger, and hopelessness experienced by Nigerians are a direct result of the government’s incompetence.
In a related development, former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, condemned the use of the Oro festival to potentially hinder the #EndBadGovernance protest. Rhodes-Vivour viewed the timing of the festival as an insult to the Yoruba traditional institution, accusing the APC of using the sacred ritual for political purposes. He stressed that trivializing the Oro festival for such intents debases the cultural and traditional values it represents.
As the Oro festival approaches, residents and visitors in Lagos have been notified about the traditional event, which involves significant rituals. Despite the timing coinciding with the planned protests, Akosile assured that the government is committed to protecting lives and property, ensuring that both the festival and protests can occur peacefully. He advised both protesters and traditional worshippers to respect each other’s rights and avoid actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
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