Lagos Monarch, Elegushi Accused Of Fixing Oro Festival On Election Day To Disenfranchise Voters 

The traditional ruler of Ikate Elegushi in Lagos Island, Oba Ademola Elegushi has been subjected to heavy criticisms over his recent announcement of Oro festival which many alleged is scheduled to hold even on election day.

News went viral on Wednesday that the monarch fixed Saturday to carry out the traditional rite which many Lagosians believe is a deliberate ploy to disenfranchise some people from participating in the governorship and house of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday.

According to the report, the festival was initially scheduled for March 11 but was later postponed to 18th immediately the news of election postponement was made public. 

RovingNaija recalls that Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi won the area with a landslide victory during the presidential election. The party’s House of Representatives candidate, who many claim did not campaign in the build up to the election also won.

This was believed to have been part of the reason the monarch decided to fix the traditional rite on the governorship election day so as to prevent the repeat of what happened on February 25.

Clarifying the news, Oba Elegushi debunked it saying the festival has nothing to do with the election.

According to him, the Oro festival begins on Wednesday and ends by Friday midnight. The only time people are expected not to come out is from 12am to 5am and it will end by Saturday. Only the non indigenes are affected.

He explained that it does not stop people from going out to vote on election day.

His clarification however did not seem to hold water as Lagosians gave their opinions on the development.