The Lagos State Government has made it clear that it is not affiliated with the alleged Oro festival, which is set to take place from August 1 to August 15, the same dates as the planned #EndBadGovernance demonstration. Punch reported on Thursday that Gboyega Akosile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, stated that the Oro festival is a religious occasion that has to be recognized, much like Muslim and Christian gatherings.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Akosile said that the government does not interfere with religious groups’ lawful activities and expects the same respect for traditional worshippers.
He acknowledged the protesters’ rights but urged them to exercise their rights lawfully without disrupting the state’s peace.
He added that government is determined to prevent a recurrence of the 2020 #EndSARS protest, which resulted in destruction and loss of life.
He said, “Oro festival is like Muslim and Christian activities and has no business with Lagos State government interference. We don’t have a hand in how any religious group goes about their lawful activities.”
He said that protesters have their rights just like the traditional worshippers who want to perform their activities too.
He added, “If anybody wants to protest, they should come out and carry out their right lawfully by not disrupting the business activities in the state. We will not allow the peace of the state to be disrupted. No responsible government will allow it.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the protesters to shelve their plans, calling for more patience and promising a response to their grievances.
The planned protest, scheduled to take place across the country, aims to address economic hardship.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>