Saheed Ademola, the traditional ruler of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom in Lagos State, has clarified that the Oro festival scheduled for March 2023 will not affect the governorship elections scheduled for March 18, 2023.
Reports in certain media outlets had erroneously claimed that the monarch had scheduled the traditional rite on Election Day.
However, in a text message to The PUNCH in Abuja, the monarch explained that the movement restrictions for the Oro rites in Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Eti-Osa, would only be in effect from Wednesday to Friday, and would not include Election Day.
According to his media aide, Temitope Oyefeso, the restrictions would be from 12 midnight to 5 am on each day, and residents would be free to move before and after this time.
The Oro Festival is an annual traditional festival celebrated by towns and settlements of Yoruba origin. It is of patriarchal nature and is only celebrated by male descendants who are paternal natives of the specific locations where the event is taking place.
During the festival, women and non-participating people are expected to stay indoors as it is believed that Orò must not be seen by them.
