Nigerian activists, including Omoyele Sowore and Aisha Yesufu, have criticized Lagos State's use of the Oro festival to obstruct the planned August 1 nationwide protest. They argue that this move, intended to limit public gatherings, is a political maneuver that undermines both cultural traditions and democratic rights.
Prominent Nigerian activists, including Omoyele Sowore and Aisha Yesufu, have sharply criticized the Lagos State government's attempt to use the Oro festival as a means to prevent a planned nationwide protest. Scheduled to start on August 1, the protest aims to address issues related to governance and economic hardship.
The controversy began when a pro-Lagos social media page announced that the traditional Yoruba Oro festival would coincide with the protest period, running from August 1 to August 15. The festival, known for its significant rituals, was suggested as a measure to restrict public gatherings and movements during the protest.
The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, which includes Sowore and Yesufu, has denounced this move as a political maneuver that undermines cultural traditions. They argue that the festival’s timing appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt the protests, which they see as an infringement on citizens' rights to freedom of assembly and expression.
Sowore and Yesufu have both voiced their disapproval on social media. Sowore highlighted the timing of the festival as a clear attempt to sideline the protest, while Yesufu criticized the use of a cultural event for political purposes. They and others argue that such tactics reflect poorly on the government's commitment to addressing the grievances driving the protests.
