Abeokuta, Ogun State – 16th May, 2025
The Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed strong disapproval over what it describes as the exclusion and marginalization of local caterers from participating in the ongoing National Sports Festival hosted by the state.
In a press statement released today, the PDP criticized the handling of the festival by the Dapo Abiodun-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government, calling it a “shamble of missed opportunities” that failed to prioritize the welfare of Ogun State residents.
According to the party, over 80 caterers—many of whom are women and widows—had prepared to contribute their services during the festival, only to find themselves sidelined in favor of Babcock University, an external institution. The PDP claims these caterers had already invested resources in anticipation of the event, leaving them economically stranded.
“This is unacceptable,” the statement reads. “Citizens of Ogun State, who should be the principal beneficiaries of this multi-billion-naira event, have been sidelined and economically disenfranchised in their own land.”
The PDP drew comparisons to the successful hosting of the 2006 National Sports Festival under the PDP-led administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, highlighting what it called a stark contrast in planning and execution. The party also referenced an earlier controversy in 2024, when Ogun residents allegedly faced issues with the APC government’s Kobape Housing Scheme after making hefty deposits without receiving proper allocation.
The opposition party has called on Governor Abiodun to intervene by instructing the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to address the concerns of the aggrieved caterers and offer proper compensation. It also urged Ogun residents to remain calm and hospitable as the festival continues, promising a change in governance should the PDP come to power.
Despite the controversy, the National Sports Festival remains a major event in the state’s calendar, attracting athletes and visitors from across the country.
