Following the rumoured Oro festival scheduled from August 1 to 15, which coincides with the planned #EndBadGovernance protest, the Lagos State government has clarified that it is not associated with it, saying the Oro festival is like other legitimate religious activities.
Gboyega Akosile, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a telephone interview with PUNCH Online, said the festival has no business with the state government.
Akosile stated that traditional worshippers have the constitutional right to practice their religion and should be allowed to conduct their activities without interference, similar to the respect accorded to other religions.
He emphasized that the government does not question the activities of other religious groups and that the same respect should be extended to traditional worshippers.
“Oro festival is like Muslim and Christian activities and has no business with Lagos State government interference. We don’t have a hand in how any religious group goes about their lawful activities.
“The protesters have their rights just like the traditional worshippers who want to perform their activities too. What is our business in that?” he queried.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that some rights activists, including Lagos natives under the aegis of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, Omoyele Sowore, and Aisha Yesufu, have criticised the use of the Oro festival to halt the planned national protest on August 1.