Gateway Games: Ogun West residents, PDP decry alleged regional marginalization
Controversies have continued to trail the hosting of the National Sports Festival tagged "2025 Gateway Games" over the perceived exclusion of the Ogun West axis in the activities of the event.
Some of the residents in Yewa axis of the State have complained bitterly over the neglect, especially the non usage of sporting facilities in the area.
A resident, Bolarinwa Israel Ajinde, in his Facebook handle, queried why Ogun West was schemed out of the hosting arrangements despite the availability of sporting facilities.
He said "Ogun West no show for sport festival hosted by Ogun State
Eleyi o da rara oooo
However, a journalist who is from the axis, Dare Olawin, on his Facebook handle cautioned the people in the area to stop criticizing the handlers of the event.
"I think my people in Ogun West should stop crying marginalisation over everything. Let the sports festival hold in peace.
Haba!
Some of the other residents took to the comment section to bare their minds on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged exclusion of both the Ogun West and Ijebu axis of Ogun East from the hosting of the event.
According to the main opposition party in the state, the “blatant exclusion” of Ogun West and the Ijebu axis of Ogun East from the hosting of the upcoming National Sports Festival, is unacceptable.
State's PDP Chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella, in a statement, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in the state is allegedly promoting regional bias and deepening lines of marginalization through the lopsided distribution of festival venues.
Tella explained that none of the events scheduled for the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival will take place in the five local government areas of Ogun West — namely Ado-Odo/Ota, Yewa South, Yewa North, Ipokia, and Imeko-Afon despite the presence of existing sports facilities like the Ilaro Stadium.
The party Chairman also added that there is “near-zero involvement” of the Ijebu axis, pointing out that only hockey has been allotted to the entire Ijebu region, which includes the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.
“This deliberate omission not only reeks of regional bias, but further deepens the lines of marginalisation, division, and inequality in a state that ought to thrive on unity and inclusiveness,” the statement read in part.
"Recall that the 2006 edition of the Gateway Games under the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, during which all senatorial zones of the state were included in the hosting plan, a model that promoted a genuine sense of belonging.
“In contrast, under Governor Abiodun, only Abeokuta and his native Remo axis are enjoying the lion’s share of state-funded infrastructure and sports investments,” the party alleged, citing ongoing developments at the MKO Abiola Stadium in the state capital.
He questioned the rationale behind ignoring existing stadiums in Ilaro and Ijebu-Ode, despite their functionality and prior use in hosting major events.
Tella further accused the state government of allocating millions of naira to sports associations and infrastructure projects in selected areas while leaving others behind.
“It is both shocking and unacceptable,” the party said, “that entire regions with strong sporting heritage are being treated as afterthoughts.”
He, however, faulted the silence of political leaders, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders from the affected regions, urging them to rise above partisanship and defend the interests of their people.
According to him, residents in the state, especially the people of Ogun West and Ijebu must address the perceived injustice and hold the Abiodun administration accountable with their votes during the 2027 general polls.
“The Gateway Games should be a symbol of unity, not a tool for political exclusion and the people of Ogun West and the Ijebu zone deserve more and they will not be silent.
