The traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Saheed Ademola (Kusenla III), has debunked claim of fixing the Oro cult ritual on Saturday, March 18, which is the day of governorship and state assembly elections.

The Oro Festival is an event celebrating male descendants of a specific location where it is taking place. During the festival, females and non-natives stay indoors as oral history has it that Oro must not be seen by women and non-participating people.

In a memo addressed to residents of Ikate-Elegushi, the monarch said there would be restriction of movement to perform the Oro rite in the community. The restriction which is from 12 midnight to 5 am daily, will last from Wednesday, March 15, to Friday, March 17.

Debunking claim of the rite being part of an alleged plan to disenfranchise non-indigenes from voting on election day, Temitope Oyefeso, the special assistant on media affairs to the Ikate Kingdom’s monarch, said in a statement;

“The restriction of movement for the Oro rites in 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.”