Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State in the 2023 election, has condemned the APC’s propaganda campaign for misusing the sacred ORO ritual to threaten protesters.
Gbadebo draws parallels between current political tactics and historical instances of Yoruba resistance to injustice. “The Yoruba are obsessed with Justice and fairness, not only as a guiding principle but also as a defining feature”, he said.
While referencing the rebellion against Àare ̣ Kúrunmí of Ìjàyè, whose subordinates refused to consent to war without consultation, and the 1916 Iseyin-Okeho peasant resistance against colonial imposition.
Gbadebo emphasizes that the Yoruba people’s disdain for unfairness, even by deities, extends to their leaders, making them inherently resistant to oppression.
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He urges Yoruba youth to exercise patience and restraint while defending their right to peaceful assembly. He also calls on traditional leaders to condemn the desecration of Yoruba traditions and to protect their revered institutions.
Gbadebo further warns against the misuse of sacred rituals by political operatives, highlighting the need for the community to preserve its rich cultural heritage and resist political manipulation.
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