The traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Saheed Ademola (Kusenla III), who has been trending on Twitter for fixing the Oro cult ritual on Saturday, 18 March, which is the day of governorship and State Assembly elections, has debunked the claims.
The Oro Festival is an event celebrating male descendants of a specific location where it is taking place.
During the festival, females and non-natives stay indoors as oral history has it that Oro must not be seen by women and non-participating people.
In a memo addressed to residents of Ikate-Elegushi, the monarch was quoted as saying there would be restriction of movement to perform the Oro rite in the community.
The restriction which was purportedly from 12 midnight to 5 am daily, will last from Wednesday, 15 March, to Friday, 17 March.
The memo had sparked controversy on social media platforms with some calling out the monarch for using culture to play politics.
@ViktorEdeh said: “Until the youths begin to wrestle the gods to exercise their civil duty…
Since our elders have decided to use our culture to play politics, let’s not hear that some of the gods were wounded or injured during election.”
While also commenting on the said development, @dan_skili wrote: “So the oro cult ritual is bigger than the governorship election day in a country and conveniently in Eti Osa where LP has the upper hand. APC well done.”
“Police must arrest the Oro and lock him inside the cell. Osinwin eniyan,” @JakesOlasupo, another Tweep who reacted, tweeted.
@tamuno24 described the development as an infringement on people’s right to freedom of movement.
“I hope the residents file a class action against the Elegushi claiming damages if their rights are infringed upon on Wednesday to Saturday. Or they can be proactive and file one now to restrain the Elegushi.”
@Q_endy wrote, “Oro is about to lose its relevance.”
Debunking claim of the rite being part of an alleged plan to disenfranchise non-indigenes from voting on election day, Temitope Oyefeso, the special assistant on media affairs to the Ikate Kingdom’s monarch, said in a statement: “The restriction of movement for the Oro rites in Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Eti-Osa is from Wednesday to Friday, Election Day is not included.
“The restriction is from 12 midnight to 5 am on each day, while residents are free to move before and after this time. This clarification is necessary for those peddling falsehood as to the motive for the rites. The peace and progress of our land is the responsibility of all of us and we must be alive to this responsibility.”
Reacting to the memo, Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in the state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour said Oro festival WON’T affect Saturday Elections.
“Our esteemed Oba Elegushi has clarified, we thank him for this. Lagosians you have NOTHING to fear, come out and VOTE !
“It takes place from 12-5.30 AM. Voting begins by 8am.
“Trust me ! Please come out and VOTE ! It is your civic duty, we have the power to choose a better Lagos & Nigeria !
“Once again we are thankful for the clarification! No one will be disenfranchised!
“Vote LP 🗳, You can do it, We can do it
“Èkó E dìde!!”