By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Rights activists, including Omoyele Sowore and Aisha Yesufu, have strongly condemned the timing of the Oro festival, which is set to overlap with the planned nationwide protests from August 1-15, 2024.
They accuse the government of deliberately scheduling the festival to obstruct the protests and undermine their right to demonstrate. Sowore and Yesufu argue that this move not only politicizes a traditional cultural event but also attempts to curtail fundamental freedoms. The activists assert that such tactics reveal a disturbing trend of using cultural practices for political manipulation.
This scheduling decision has intensified existing tensions, with many viewing it as a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent. The controversy has sparked widespread criticism from various quarters, highlighting the growing divide between governmental actions and public sentiment. Critics argue that this move undermines the festival’s cultural value while intensifying public scrutiny of the government’s approach to civil rights. As the protest date approaches, the debate continues to fuel broader discussions about the intersection of culture, politics, and personal freedoms
