THE Alakesan of Akesan, in the Igando-Ikotun LCDA of Alimosho LGA, HRM Oba (Dr) Nojeemdeen Abidemi Aberejo Oduala 1 has denied claims that he had scheduled the Oro festival on Saturday, March 18, 2023, which coincides with the Governorship and State Legislature elections.
“It is absolutely untrue, there is nothing like that, I will not be a part of illegality, ” the Monarch told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, March 13.
According to Abdulmahmud on Twitter, the Monarch has allegedly scheduled the festival on election day to prevent voters from turning up to exercise their civic rights.
“Interesting development coming out of Igando area of Lagos. Last week Oba of Akesan scheduled the Oro festival for 11th March 2023.
“No sooner INEC announced the postponement of today’s election to 18th March, the Oba rescheduled the Oro festival to next weekend.
“Oro festival is celebrated by male descendants of a specific location. Which means that females, non-participating males and non-natives must stay indoors during the festival,” he tweeted on Sunday.
In response to his tweet, which had over 560,000 views, @sofineND who claimed to be a resident of Iba said that the rites were performed on Friday and they have been told it will be held again on election day.
“Yes, that’s my area. I witnessed they had it on Friday night as we were all warned never to stay outside from 10 pm till 5:30 AM and also warned to avoid Iba area from 10 am till 4 PM on Saturday as the traditional rite will be going on there but we know all was for political suppression,” his tweet reads.
The Oro festival is a traditional rite common among people of Yoruba origins, and it is patriarchal.
PREMIUM TIMES
