By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta

Abiodun Sidelines Yewa – Awori As Gateway Festival Opens May 18

…No Sports Competition In Ogun West

The alleged marginalisation of the Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State assumed a disturbing and unbelievable dimension in May 2025 as the National Sports Festival 2024 being hosted by the state will formally open on Sunday, May 18, 2025 without any location in the Senatorial District deemed fit to host even one or two of the over a dozen games listed for the festival.

Ogun State Government under the watch of Governor Dapo Abiodun from Ogun East Senatorial District has spent over six months months preparing to host the festival with every segment of the Gateway State looking forward with enthusiasm to be part it, but the suffusing enthusiasm of the people of Yewa and Awori extractions of the state drained off completely on Friday evening, leaving many of them worried.

The Daily Crucible learnt that the game festival which is supposed to unite the state, give all a sense of belonging and reawaken the youth’s interest in sporting activities has left the Ogun West and her people sidelined, deepening the suspicion that the senatorial district having been mauled politically, will have to grapple with a new layer of systemic marginalization, allegedly added to their plight by Abiodun – led administration.

Some of the sons and daughters of the Ogun West who claimed they have seen official competition schedule released by the organisers, alleged that none of the games was scheduled to take place anywhere in Yewa – Awori land though the area boasts of a stadium in Ilaro built by the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel over a decade ago. There are other private and public facilities in Ogun West that can also host any of the games.

They are accusing Dapo Abiodun – led administration of being responsible for sidelining them in the listing of venues for the competition.

An Ogun West lady and sports enthusiast, who identified herself as Oreoluwa, Tourism and exposure, trigger shortterm boom in socioeconomic activities with in hospitality business, transporters, food and beverages vendors among others making brisk business throughout the duration of the festival. Apparently,

A storm of outrage has erupted among residents and stakeholders from Ogun West Senatorial District over the exclusion of the region from hosting any of the scheduled events in the forthcoming Ogun State Games.

The protest, which was ignited by a passionate post shared by Mr. Temitope on a popular WhatsApp platform, “The State of Ogun,” accused the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun of deliberate marginalization of the Yewa people, branding the move as “systemic degradation and tribal bias.”

In the viral post, Mr. Temitope questioned the silence of key political and traditional figures from Ogun West, challenging them to explain why no local government within the district was considered worthy to host any segment of the games.

“If this had happened to Ogun East, would they have accepted such an open insult? Why should we dress up to clap and cheer in other districts for what we are equally entitled to? Where is the Olu of Ilaro, the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland? Has he said anything, overtly or covertly, about this snub? Where is Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), the highest elected Yewa man? Has he called Eleyi’s attention to this disrespect?” the post queried.

Temitope also lambasted members of the House of Representatives from the area, including Hon. Akinosi, Hon. Akinlade, and Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI), questioning their silence on the matter.

He further called out commissioners, aides, and other Yewa indigenes serving in the current administration, asking if any of them has considered resignation in protest of what he described as a “psychological assault” on the youths of Ogun West.

The post did not spare key political actors and stakeholders, including Hon. Awoso, Chief Egungbohun, Hon. Muse, Hon. Yusuf, and Hon. Jemili, demanding to know if any had confronted the Governor or raised the issue during budget appropriation sessions.

Temitope ended the post with a passionate plea, invoking the spirit of justice and fairness:
“Haba, Governor Dapo Abiodun, e de beru Olorun (Fear God). What you are doing is not fair to Yewaland, and history will remember.”

Observers have noted that since the release of the post, no official statement has been issued by the Ogun State Government or any of the mentioned individuals, further fueling anger and disappointment across Yewaland.

Many are now calling on socio-political groups such as the Yewa People’s Development Congress (YPDC), YAYAF, Yewa Think Tank, and various community development associations to break their silence and demand immediate redress.