Yinka Ayelefe’s Music House demolished

Yinka Ayefele this morning, watching the ruins of his radion station

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

People of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State this morning could not believe their eyes as Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s government carried out its threat to demolish the Music House belonging to a music maestro, Yinka Ayefele which housees Fresh FM located at Lagos-Ibadan bypass in Challenge Area of Ibadan.

Symphatisers who gathered in thousands as soon as Ajimobi’s demolishing bulldozers got to the house worth several millions amidst tight security could not hold back their tears as they watched the edifice being pulled down.

Governor Ajimobi visited and fielded questions at the studio in the past. Watch video here:
https://youtu.be/Bl6rTJ-CPOs

There had been anxiety over the demolition since Governor Ajimobi made his intention known.

The government had earlier issued a three-day notice for the demolition of the building stating that the property owner had allegedly ignored its request to obey its notice saying that the property was not properly approved.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun, the demolition notice to music House Fresh FM 105.9 Ibadan was not based on sentiment or witch-hunting.

It said contravention notices were served to different organisations since June 13 last year including all radio stations in the state.

According to Arulogun, the Music House ignored his request for an application for a new building plan having established through an inspection that the building violated its original plan without seeking physical planning approval from the state Bureau of Physical planning and development control.

He stated that several companies and institutions such as the University of Ibadan, UI, Kola Daisi University, University Ciollege Hospital, UCH, Banks and radio stations were similarly asked to provide their approved plans.

Ayefele in a recent statement he personally signed, declared: “We want to make it clear that Music House followed due process in the construction of the building and got relevant approvals from state departments and agencies associated with lands and buildings.

“Saying that Music House Complex is responsible for three accidents that occurred on the road in the last nine months is just an attempt by the Commissioner to run away from his shadow. How can a reasonable person say that?

“It is not news that the Governor of the state himself said some politicians came to him to demolish the Music House Complex because Ayefele is not in their camp and he also sang against them. We have the Governor on tape, so the Commissioner should look for another excuse.

“We know it is the Commissioner that is misinforming the Governor who we hold in a very high esteem. The Commissioner has tried in the past to influence a change in our programmes saying some of our analysts should be replaced.

“We want the general public to know that Music House has not in any way contravened any building plan law as the Commissioner has mischievously said.

“Music House has been in existence for almost 10 years and we have all necessary documents backing the building from relevant government agencies.

“Why did the government approved the building plan when they know it will contravene the state housing law?

“The Commissioner should tell us why the state is just realising that the Music House building is the cause of accident along this road. Perhaps it is also responsible for accidents on Ring road and other parts of the state.

“If we actually contravened the building law, why did the Commissioner always send us press release for use on behalf of the government.

“The Commissioner has featured on different programmes on our station and has commended us for our professionalism same with the Governor who heaped praises on us when he visited the station on October 6, 2016. The Commissioner should look for another excuse and stop chasing shadows”.

Ayefele had approached the court last week to stop the demolition. Sympathisers are still at the scene weeping and cursing the Oyo State Administration for what they see as injustice to the disabled musician.