- Safiu Kehinde
The Ogun state government has faulted its athletes over their protest earlier on Wednesday.
NPO Reported that the athletes representing the host state had earlier shut the Abeokuta Games Village main gate, denying other athletes access in protest over unpaid allowances.
Reacting to the ugly development in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the government expressed its disappointment by the athletes’ action.
Akinmade said that the protest was inconsistent with the values and objectives the state upholds while noting that the athletes acted out of impatience.
As against the athletes agitation, the governor’s aide claimed that all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the payment of their allowances on Tuesday.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun remains deeply sensitive and committed to the welfare of all participants at the festival. There is no circumstance under which he would allow Ogun athletes to suffer or be neglected.
“The protest earlier today by a few athletes is not only unfortunate but also uncalled for. It stands in stark contrast to the immense success the state has recorded in hosting the festival—from the grand opening ceremony to the impressive performance of Team Ogun.
“Those who protested did so in error. It was a clear case of impatience,” the statement read.