Senator Adeola Yayi’s Arrival At Gateway Games Opening Sparks Fresh Talks

Frontrunner in the race to determine the next Governor of Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, was among the attendees at Sunday’s grand opening of the National Sports Festival currently ongoing in Ogun State.

The Senator representing Ogun West was not part of the entourage of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the opening ceremony of this year’s edition of the NSF, dubbed the “Gateway Games.”

This, observers insist, was contrary to the norm.

Adeola, famously known as Yayi, arrived independently at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the venue of the opening.

Vice President Shettima was brought to the venue in an executive bus that also ferried Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Afolabi Salisu Shuaib, who represents Ogun Central.

“Senator Shuaib was the first to spring down from the bus that brought the Vice President’s entourage,” witnesses noted.

The development has renewed speculation about the rapport between Governor Abiodun and Senator Adeola Yayi.

Although Senator Yayi was recognized at the event, close watchers of Ogun State’s political circle claim something appears to be amiss—especially given his stature, his perceived involvement with the Abiodun administration, and his clout at the national level. He was only acknowledged once throughout the opening ceremony.

Talks are that the event’s protocol was so restrictive that Senator Yayi couldn’t gain access to the Vice President or other prominent figures—even for photo opportunities.

The Senator, who has been praised for facilitating unprecedented development in Ogun West, had to make do with taking photos with high-profile performer David Adeleke, better known as Davido, who thrilled the audience at the event sources added.