Rites and Rights: Repugnancy Doctrines in Contemporary Nigerian Cultures and the Ozoro Alue-Do Festival Controversies

The Ozoro Alue-Do festival controversy of March 2026 has reignited longstanding debates about the intersection of cultural practices, fundamental human rights, and the repugnancy doctrine in contemporary Nigeria. This paper examines the legal and socio-cultural dimensions of the repugnancy doctrine as it applies to Nigerian customary laws and practices, using the Alue-Do festival as a case study to interrogate the tension between cultural preservation and human rights protection. The study employed a qualitative case study methodology, drawing on secondary sources including media reports, official statements from the Nigeria Police Force and the National Human Rights Commission, legal scholarship, and community testimonies. Additionally, the research incorporated primary data through semi-structured interviews conducted with community leaders, affected individuals, and legal practitioners to provide firsthand perspectives on the intersection of cultural practices and human rights. The study also undertook a comparative analysis of other Nigerian festivals, including the New Yam Festival, Eyo Festival, and Durbar Festival, to provide a wider understanding of how customary practices are evaluated under the repugnancy doctrine. Findings reveal that the repugnancy doctrine remains a critical legal instrument for evaluating customary practices, yet its application is fraught with ambiguity, colonial baggage, and inconsistent judicial interpretation. The Alue-Do controversy exposed significant gaps in community sensitization, security planning, and the protection of women's rights during cultural celebrations. The study finds that while traditional leaders and community stakeholders assert that the festival is a fertility rite with no cultural endorsement of sexual violence, the documented acts of harassment and assault constitute serious violations under Nigerian law and international human rights instruments. The paper argues for a balanced approach that respects cultural traditions while ensuring compliance with constitutional human rights guarantees through regulatory frameworks, community education, and legal accountability. The study also highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in maintaining public order during cultural festivals, as evidenced by the police response to the Alue-Do incident. Recommendations include the formal documentation and codification of customary practices, mandatory security protocols for cultural festivals, and enhanced legal education on the repugnancy doctrine for traditional rulers and community leaders.

Repugnancy Doctrine, Customary Law, Human Rights, Alue-Do Festival, Nigerian Culture.

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