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.”

Public Announcement:

Attention Residents and Visitors of Lagos

Please be informed that the Oro Festival will be observed in various communities across Lagos from 1st of August to August 15.

This traditional Yoruba cultural event involves significant rituals

Retweet for…

— Lagospidia (@lagospidia) July 24, 2024

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:

The “Oro Festival” is about witnessing a REVOLUTIONARY transformation; it is about seeing a real Festival – the Festival of the Oppressed! #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #DaysOfRage #RevolutionNow https://t.co/vTUjCbZGsK pic.twitter.com/upCo45qxqj

— Omoyele Sowore (@sowore) July 24, 2024

Oro festival in Lagos now allegedly scheduled for the first two weeks of August. The exact same period of the planned protests by the youths.

Chaiii 😭

So after turning billionaires to podcasters 😂 this govt don dey turn our ancestors to political jobbers 😂 😂 😂

God abeg.

— OurFaveOnlineDoc 🇬🇧 🇳🇬 (@OurFavOnlineDoc) July 24, 2024

The prestigious Oro Festival is now a political tool.

Y'all now understand why they tried to ban Gangs of Lagos because it exposed them.

😂😂 pic.twitter.com/K3juDDznT4

— Akwa Ibom 1st Son (@civilianmajor_) July 24, 2024

They have dragged Yoruba gods & culture into politics. Deciding to hold Oro Festival on the days of peaceful protests against Bad Governance, is cowardice.

No one disrespects Yoruba Culture more the Lagos APC. I hope you won’t accuse non-Yorubas of disrespecting Yoruba culture?

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) July 24, 2024

Oro Festival will be observed in various communities across Lagos from 1st of August to August 15th

Make sure y’all come out and protest ,nothing must stop our peaceful protest 🙌🙌🙌🙌📌📌📌📌😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/cq63ZIocQA

— Bukky❤️ (@_callmebekky) July 24, 2024

Oro festival in Lagos now allegedly scheduled for the first two weeks of August. The exact same period of the planned protests by the youths.

Chaiii 😭

So after turning billionaires to podcasters 😂 this govt don dey turn our ancestors to political jobbers 😂 😂 😂

God abeg.

— OurFaveOnlineDoc 🇬🇧 🇳🇬 (@OurFavOnlineDoc) July 24, 2024

Oro festival in March 2023.
Oro festival in August 2024.

The gods are too wise 😂😂😂

— Everest (@novieverest) July 24, 2024

Oro festival that people of Igbogbo Ikorodu carry on their head is what APC boys are using to score political points. Yoruba did not ronu now o. Until people start desecrating that traditional rite just as they are doing, Yoruba will remember to ronu.

Enu e la jo wa yen.

— Lola Okunrin (@lollypeezle) July 24, 2024

Same pattern.

After using Oro festival as scare tactics, the next thing is for a popular Lagos tout to release video shouting “Iya Sukudi, don’t come out o”

Same pattern. Una no dey step up? E o ni ilosiwaju rara ni? 😂😂

— Lola Okunrin (@lollypeezle) July 24, 2024

Dear Lagos Youths, do not allow any Politician Deceive you. NIGERIANS ARE ANGRY. If you have been drafted for this Oro festival to cause Chaos from August 1st Pls Refuse for the sake of your Life.

You will be Severely Beaten & Stripped Naked. Leave BAT to face his FokUp.💝

— SizZzle. 😎🇳🇬 (@n6oflife6) July 24, 2024

All of sudden, they want to perform Oro festival from August 1-15 in lagos

They are looking for all ways to stop that protest 🤣🤣🤣

— BIG AYO🔰 (@47kasz) July 24, 2024

If you insist on the Oro Festival taking place on the 1st of August, no problem.

Only women aren't allowed to see the Oro masquerade. Men are allowed, so men will continue the protest, while the Oro festival continues.

💀

— Sir David Onyemaizu🦍 (@SirDavidBent) July 24, 2024

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.