Breaking! #Lagos Guber Polls: Oba Elegushi Gives Clarity On Oro Festival

The traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom in Lagos State, Oba Saheed Ademola, has clarified that the March 2023 Oro festival would not affect the March 18 polls in the state.

According to him, the restriction of movement for the Oro rites in the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Eti-Osa is from Wednesday to Friday, hence Election Day is not included.

CityNews Nigeria reported earlier that non-indigenes and women in Ikate-Elegushi may not be able to participate in the forthcoming Saturday’s governorship and state assembly following the directive of the traditional ruler, Saheed Ademola (Kusenla III), declaring a three-day Oro rite.

The special assistant on media affairs to the Ikate Kingdom’s monarch, Temitope Oyefeso confirmed that an Oro rite will be happening in the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom.

He said: “Yes, there is an Oro rite happening in the Ikate kingdom. So, the Elegushi community council decided that residents and visitors should be in their houses from midnight to morning on Wednesday to Saturday.”

However, Oyefeso has debunked reports that the rites would affect election activities on Saturday saying “We are not saying people should sit at home during the day as they have in other places.”

The Elegushi, in his clarification through Oyefeso, told The Punch on Wednesday “The restriction of movement for the Oro rites in the 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.”