Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State. Photo: TVC
Oyo state governor Abiola Ajimobi on Thursday set up a committee to resolve the face-off between the government and gospel musician Yinka Ayefele over the demolition of the singer’s Music House in Ibadan.
The government said Ayefele’s N800m building, which houses the singer’s Fresh FM and recording studios, contravened its Town Planning laws and hence its partial demolition on Sunday.
Many Nigerians as well as human rights organizations condemned the government’s action, with some calling the governor unpleasant names.
Ajimobi set up the committee at a reconciliatory meeting with Ayefele in his office.
It was learned that Ayefele, in company with some of his workers, had arrived at the Governor’s Office at about 11.30 am.
The governor said the demolition was neither a witch-hunt nor politically motivated, insisting it was due to contravention of the state ’s property laws.
But Ajimobi described Ayefele as a good man and a responsible citizen, stressing that the next step was to find a compassionate means of resolving the issue.
Also, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who was at the Governor’s Office in company with some monarchs, pleaded with the governor to resolve the impasse.