Nigerians Reacts As Lagos Announces 15 Days Oro Festival During Planned Protests

The Oro festival is trending on X, formally known as Twitter, after a pro-Lagos social media page announced that the 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, 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.”

https://twitter.com/lagospedia/status/1816167650130616485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1816167650130616485%7Ctwgr%5E9a063e32913c3e8932ee5b2920cd69eb37074a54%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.legit.ng%2Fnigeria%2F1604151-trending-prospective-protesters-react-blog-claims-oro-festival-slated-aug-1-15%2F

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 the 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.

See some reactions below:

https://twitter.com/YeleSowore/status/1816201162686926881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1816201162686926881%7Ctwgr%5E9a063e32913c3e8932ee5b2920cd69eb37074a54%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.legit.ng%2Fnigeria%2F1604151-trending-prospective-protesters-react-blog-claims-oro-festival-slated-aug-1-15%2F

https://twitter.com/OurFavOnlineDoc/status/1816196525825089854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1816196525825089854%7Ctwgr%5E9a063e32913c3e8932ee5b2920cd69eb37074a54%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.legit.ng%2Fnigeria%2F1604151-trending-prospective-protesters-react-blog-claims-oro-festival-slated-aug-1-15%2F

https://twitter.com/ukocarter/status/1816205716421546375

https://twitter.com/firstladyship/status/1816215360627970429

https://twitter.com/_callmebekky/status/1816232293108691121

https://twitter.com/OurFavOnlineDoc/status/1816196525825089854

https://twitter.com/novieverest/status/1816222062001680590

https://twitter.com/lollypeezle/status/1816226230414246306

https://twitter.com/lollypeezle/status/1816227094516355221

https://twitter.com/n6oflife6/status/1816213904218869839

https://twitter.com/47kasz/status/1816190346105438533

https://twitter.com/SirDavidBent/status/1816216780731240546

https://twitter.com/MO_Shaibu_/status/1816229197800464893

KanyiDaily recalls that last year, the traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom in Lagos State, Saheed Ademola fixed Oro festival on election day.