The Labour Party (LP) Governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has addressed reports that there is going to be Oro festival in some communities in the state on Saturday March 18, the date scheduled for the gubernatorial election.
Rhodes-Vivour, who addressed Lagosians in a video broadcast on Wednesday, said the unconfirmed directive is a plot to scare and intimidate voters.
According to the LP candidate, traditional rulers, Baale of Ijegun, the traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, and others know better and would not engage in any activities that will disenfranchise voters.
The LP candidate further urged his supporters to disregard the unconfirmed report and ensure that they come out en mass to vote.
Meanwhile, the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom in Lagos State, 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.
Naija News 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.