• Lagos state announces Oro festival, coinciding with upcoming protest 
• The Oro festival involves significant rituals, restrict movements and the rituals vary among communities 
• The announcement has generated widespread backlash as netizens believe it is politically motivated to disrupt the upcoming protest

Lagos State had announced on Wednesday, July 24, in a social media post that the Oro Festival will be observed in various communities across the state from August 1 to August 15.

The notice read, “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.”

Oro festival announcement generates backlash 

This announcement has generated widespread backlash on social media, as many perceive it as a deliberate strategy to hinder the upcoming nationwide protest against Tinubu’s government and the country's persistent economic crisis. 

Nigerians react to Oro festival fixture

The festival's timing has triggered widespread controversy, as netizens contend it is politically motivated and designed to disrupt the upcoming nationwide protest.

TheRadar compiled the reactions of people below: 

“When politics take over everything, cultural values get taunted and important ancestral practices become tools of oppression willed by the politicians at desired times. Democracy is rather a curse than a blessing in this part of the world,”  Damilare Odulesi tweeted.  

“No devilish or Satanic festival can stop the protest....#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria,” Daily Justice added. 

“Oro na Politician now very soon dem go add allocation for Oro,” Oluwasegun commented. 

“Oro is the affairs of the spirits , protest is the affairs of the living, how e take affect each other 🤷🏽‍♂️ ,” Vintage added.  

“The gods will still collect wotowoto that very day oooo. If them never dey hungry, we are hungry oooo. They should know that there is hunger in the land of the living,” Funny Quotes tweeted.  

“The Lagos Yorubas are turning their deities into political tools just because of someone like Tinubu. Even Oro itself would flee in the face of the people’s resistance, or carry placards,” Juba commented. 

“The gods will be useless that day,” Internet Money added.  

Bayo Onanuga claimed Peter Obi should be held responsible for planned nationwide protest

Meanwhile, TheRadar previously reported that Peter Obi had threatened to sue the Special Adviser to the President on Communications and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, for defamation. 

According to the report, Peter Obi demanded N5 billion for damages from Onanuga over the allegations while Onanuga responded that he was not afraid of going to court.