The announcement of the Oro Festival slated for August 1 to 15, the same days for the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest is still whipping up reactions, and former Lagos State Labour Party governorship candidate, Gbedebo Rhodes-Vivour, has something to say.
Gbadebo has advised the President Bola Tinubu-led government against using the traditional Yoruba ritual, Oro, to threaten protesters.
He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of assaulting Yoruba traditional institutions.
To him, the Yoruba are known for justice and fairness through upholding their traditions.
Oro Festival
Gbadebo’s statement on Thursday followed an announcement on Wednesday that traditionalists in Lagos have fixed Oro to hold from August 1 to 15.
Lagos State government was accused of sponsoring the Oro event to shun the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest slated on August 1.
APC Propaganda
Gbadebo said: “The campaign by APC propaganda handles to use ORO – a sacred ritual in Yoruba land – to threaten protesters is an assault on our traditional institution.
Casualising centuries of a hallowed ritual with such juvenile intent debases our culture and corrupts our revered institution.”
“The Yoruba are obsessed with Justice and fairness, not only as a guiding principle but also as a defining feature.
It explains why, although the subjects recognize their king as an authority second only to the gods, the community does not tolerate high-handedness on the part of the king.
Whenever they perceive such, there is bound to be a protest.”
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He said while he supports peace and patience from the youths, the right to peaceful assembly must be respected by traditional leaders.
“I urge patience and restraint from our youth but defend their right to peaceful assembly.
More importantly, I call on our respected traditional leaders.
They must condemn our tradition’s desecration and guard our revered institutions jealously,” he added.
