The Lagos State Government has distanced itself from the rumoured upcoming Oro festival scheduled for 1 to 15 August 2024, coinciding with the #EndBadGovernance protest.
The government likened it to other religious activities held across the country.
An X user, @lagospedia, had on Wednesday posted that the Oro festival would hold in Lagos from 1 August, saying “This traditional Yoruba cultural event involves significant rituals”. The post generated mixed reactions.
Speaking in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Thursday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said no one questions the government when other religions hold their activities.
He noted that the same respect should be maintained for traditional worshippers because they have the right to worship according to the constitution and can go about their lawful exercises.
“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?
“If anybody wants to protest, they should come out and carry out their right lawfully by not disrupting the business activities in the state. We will not allow the peace of the state to be disrupted. No responsible government will allow it”, he said.
Alluding to the 2020 #EndSARS protest that led to the destruction of property and loss of lives in the state, Akosile said the state government frowned on its recurrence and would stop it from happening again.
An earlier report indicated that some Nigerians were planning to protest against economic hardship in the country.
The demonstration, which is gaining traction on social media, has been scheduled to be held across all states of the Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, from 1 to 10 August 2024.
