Sowore joins Aisha Yesufu, others to condemn intimidation through back door
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Activists Omoyele Sowore and Aisha Yesufu have joined others in the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation to condemn the plan by Bola Tinubu’s agents in Lagos to use a demonic Oro festival to stop the hunger protest beginning on August 1.
Tinubu uses surrogates and proxies to appeal to, or blackmail, or threaten the protesters but flatly refuses to deploy his presidential powers to assuage raw feelings about his wastage of tax payers’ money – by cutting the cost of governance. Another sign of his insincerity that angers many citizens.
Tinubu’s insincerity and deception also show in his tone deaf refusal to follow the example of House of Representatives members who slashed their salaries by half to pacify hungry citizens and help lift the economy.
Lagos Governor has previously expressed support for the protest, reiterating it is a fundamental and constitutional right to protest in a democracy.
Arise TV anchors Rufai Oseni and Reuben Abati have explained that in Yorubaland, Oro masquerades normally come out at night, not during the day. They gave the explanation during the election in 2023 when an Oro festival was staged during the day in the Lekki area of Lagos to scarce people from voting.
It is a general knowledge that an Oro festival involves demonic sacrifices, including human sacrifice, and practitioners warn ahead of time that people (especially non-indigenes of an area) to not show up because they risk being matcheted to death.
Oro festival has been trending on X after a pro-Lagos social media page announced it will be held during the hunger protest planned for between August 1 and 15.
“Attention residents and visitors of Lagos. Please be informed that the Oro festival will be observed in various communities across Lagos from the 1st of August to August 15. This traditional Yoruba cultural event involves significant rituals,” the post warned.
De Renaissance Patriots Foundation reacted through its Media Office, saying:
“This government is bastardising our cultures and traditions. What business does the state government have with ‘Oro’ and for what purpose?
“Let’s assume that the protesters defy this, and we think they should. How will the state enforce it as such enforcement is tantamount to a restriction of their fundamental human rights of freedom of movement, association, etc.?
“Again, for the Oro festival, will the government declare a work-free week? Government should separate our traditions from this impending madness.
“What will the government do to assuage the feelings of those who will not be able to conduct their legitimate business during this period of malaise that the government is getting into?
“Yoruba will regret this unconscionable act of the government hiding behind this spiritual and traditional act in trying to scuttle the protest. Can’t they find another means?”
Others reacted on social media as follows:
Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore)
“Oro festival in Lagos now allegedly scheduled for the first two weeks of August. The same period as the planned protests by the youths.”
Aisha Yesufu Jibrilla (@ukocarter)
“The prestigious Oro Festival is now a political tool. Y’all now understand why they tried to ban ‘Gangs of Lagos’ because it exposed them.”
Abanikanda Olumoro (based in the UK)
“Why are you so particular about Lagos and not your states where your indigeneship, by constitutional rights, is domiciled?
“The festival of masquerade does not last long. You should be ashamed because Lagos State owners and indigenes are poised and have resources to take back their State, and you cannot stop them.
“If Nigerians are staging a nationwide protest against bad governance in Abuja, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Gombe, Sokoto, etc., don’t think anyone will take you seriously to say it is a Lagos issue. No. It is a show for Nigeria being staged by Nigerians across tribes and religions.
“President Tinubu has begged them not to protest, but you have spoiled all of that because these Nigerians, from the information I receive daily, are not going back regardless of the military and police forces you are deploying.”
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Related articles:
Tinubu’s plot to arrest Obi over protest is dangerous, Babachir Lawal warns
Hunger protesters list 15 demands, Tinubu threatens unleashing thugs against them
Obi claps back at Tinubu, ‘stop attacking me, do your job and end hunger in Nigeria’
NLC warns Tinubu against clamp down on protests against hunger
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