Oba Saheed Ademola, the traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom in Lagos State has said that the governorship elections scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2023, won’t be affected by the March 2023 Oro celebration.
On Election Day, according to some media outlets ( not NewsclickNG), the king established the customary rite.
Through his media aide, Temitope Oyefeso, the monarch said, “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.”
According to reports, cities and townships of Yoruba ancestry celebrate the Oro Festival. As it is only observed by male descendants who are paternal inhabitants of the exact regions where the event is taking place, it is an annual traditional celebration with a patriarchal bent.
Females and non-natives are asked to stay indoors during the event because, according to Oro tradition, Oro must not be seen by women or non-participants.
