Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has felicitated the chairman of Fresh FM, Dr Olayinka Joel Ayefele, on his 57th birthday.
The Governor, who described Ayefele as a brother, friend and a wonderful personality, hailed him for making so much impact on humanity in the last few decades.
He also prayed to God to grant the ace broadcast and gospel artiste more years and good health.
He said: “Today, I felicitate my brother and friend, Dr Yinka Ayefele, on the occasion of his 57th birthday.
“A wonderful personality, Dr Ayefele has taught everyone that a setback should not be the end of life and that we can rise from the rubble of life and make great impact.
“I celebrate his patriotism and impact on society and pray to God to grant him more years, good health and prosperity to make greater impact in all ramifications.
“Happy birthday to you, OJA, as your admirers fondly call you.”
Tag: Yinka Ayefele
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Makinde celebrates Fresh FM chairman Ayefele at 57
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I didn’t buy my triplets – Yinka Ayefele declares
Gospel singer Yinka Ayefele has shared that he is one of the few men with a spinal cord injury who has been able to have children.
He noted that it is uncommon for men with his condition to impregnate a woman, highlighting his situation as exceptional.
Speaking on the ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask’ show hosted by content creator Bae U Barbie, Ayefele addressed rumours suggesting he “bought” his children.
He clarified that he indeed impregnated his wife, who gave birth to their triplets.
Read Also: My triplets always ask me why I can’t walk – Yinka Ayefele
The host: “I’m shocked you said you have three beautiful and amazing kids. My question is, how did you do it?”
Ayefele replied: “How did I do what? Curious that I impregnated my wife? How did I get three kids? You would have seen pregnant women before. I impregnated my wife and she got pregnant and had triplets.
“You thought I bought them? I don’t understand what you mean. I know you are curious, you want to talk about my spinal cord injury. Anybody who has a spinal cord injury might not be able to impregnate a lady. Yeah, it’s a fact, it’s one out of a hundred.”
Ayefele began his music career in 1997 after he was involved in an automobile accident that damaged his spinal cord and made him reliant on a wheelchair.
He is married to Temitope Titilope and they are blessed with
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My triplets always ask me why I can’t walk – Yinka Ayefele
Yinka Ayefele, a renowned Gospel-Tungba singer, has shared a heartwarming video of his triplet asking him why he can’t walk.
The singer shared the video via his Instagram page, in which one of the triplets named Richard can be heard asking his father why he is unable to stand upright and walk like other people.
Yinka, who looked stunned, responded that he had an accident, and his son insisted on knowing about the accident.
The veteran singer said he always struggles not to be emotional whenever his kids ask him the question.
Read Also: Singer Yinka Ayefele commemorates accident’s 25th anniversary
He captioned the video: “They always want me to stand up… And they kept asking me why every day, even up till last night… I tried hard not to be emotional… Indeed, it was ‘My turning point. 12/12/1997’. To God be the Glory.”
On December 12, 1997, Ayefele was involved in a car accident, which damaged his spinal cord and confined him to a wheelchair.
The singer and his wife, Temitope, welcomed their triplets in 2019.
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Adron Homes unveils Yinka Ayefele as brand ambassador
A popular real estate company, Adron Homes and Properties Limited has unveiled ace musician, Yinka Ayefele as its new brand ambassador.
The unveiling of the musician-cum-radio station owner, was held in Ibadan amidst cheers at the Adron Ibadan office, recently. The event also featured the unveiling of the partnership between Adron Homes and Fresh FM on the forthcoming event tagged: Adron/Fresh FM Childrens Day event organised to thrill young landlords in Ibadan on Childrens Day.
Some of the artistes slated for the event include, 9ice, Small Doctor, Oyinkanade, Woli Agba, among others.
According to the Group Managing Director/CEO of Adron Homes, Dr Adetola EmmanuelKing, Adron Homes has always been known to partner and collaborate with the biggest corporate organisations and celebrities in Nigeria, as well as partnered with the successful organisation in the financial, constructions, telecommunications and several others.
He noted that the company was delighted to add Ayefele to the prestigious list, adding, Dr Yinka Ayefele is phenomenal and illustrious personality who has proven to be worthy of praise in the broadcasting and the entertainment industry. His brand is well recognised, that is why we have decided to make him our number one brand ambassador for our Ibadan division.
Speaking on the event, EmmanuelKing added that the company is striving to advance its corporate commitment to make homes available to all categories of Nigerians, including the children through the companys flexible installment arrangement.
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Oyo State govt. rebuilds Ayefele’s Music House
The Oyo State government has rebuilt gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele’s ‘Music house’ it demolished in 2018.
Ayefele expressed his gratitude to the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi for rebuilding the once-demolished ‘Music House’ allegedly valued at N800m.
He took to his instagram handle @yinkaayefele to shared his appreciation message a card and the caption, “Thank you sir, we appreciate you”.
The card read, “The management and staff of Yinka Ayefele Limited is using this medium to thank his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for rebuilding the music house.”
Following Ayefele’s appreciation message, fans congratulated Ayefele on getting the house back but added that the demolition was unnecessary to begin with.
Funmionabam said, ‘The power of social media. Congrats @Yinkayefele but I would advice you to be careful.”
Lordsfavour commented, “Happy for you Ayefele. God over everything. Thanks to the governor.”
@Hollarbesse said, “But what was the purpose of bringing down the building in the first place and then building it back up.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in August 2018, social media users went ‘wild’ when the Oyo State government demolished the Music House for allegedly flouting state housing rules.
Although Ayefele denied breaking the law, the state government denied receipts of any court injunction restraining them from demolishing the house.
According to Ayefele, the structure, which also housed his radio station and music studio, represented 20 years of his hard work.
The case received wide publicity and fans of the singer pleaded for the government’s assistance in rebuilding the structure as the demolition was ‘unfair’.
The Oyo State government heeded to the calls and in Nov. 2018 began rebuilding the Music House with the hope of completing before the end of 2018.
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Ajimobi, listening father, good leader – Ayefele
Popular music producer and Gospel musician, Mr. Yinka Ayefele, has expressed `profound gratitude’ to the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for assisting him to remodel and rebuild his Music House to a better edifice.
Ayefele, who runs a popular radio station, Fresh FM, in Ibadan, led top management of the station on what he called a `thank you’ visit to the governor, in his office, on Tuesday.
The façade of the building housing the radio station had been partially demolished by the state’s Physical and Urban Development Control in August 2018 for contravening physical planning and urban development laws.
But, the governor had intervened in the matter following personal pleas by Ayefele and the expression of his preparedness to comply with the restructuring model proposed by the agency.
The agency had justified its action on the initial refusal of the management of the building to rectify the infractions and its insistence on safeguarding lives and property of residents and commuters plying the Music House area.
Aiyefele, who described Ajimobi as a listening father and good leader, said he had learnt lessons from the whole saga and had appreciated the need for mutual understanding and cooperation between the government and citizens.
He said: `I have come here with my management team to say a big `thank you’ to our father (Ajimobi), a good leader and someone who I will boldly describe as a good example to this generation for his large heart.
“I also want to thank all the people working with the governor, especially the committee that worked with our own management committee on the remodeling and reconstruction of the Music House for their exemplary conduct.
“God has wiped away my sorrow through you (governor). You have helped me personally in this matter, because I have been down emotionally since the partial demolition of the building. I have learnt lessons from the incident. Now, the building has become a better edifice.
“On behalf of my family, my staff and all the good people that expressed concern when the incident occurred, I hereby express my profound gratitude to the governor for the kind gesture.’’
As a mark of appreciation, Ayefele later presented a sketched portrait of the governor to him, while Ajimobi in turn commended the gospel musician for the bold step.
Commenting further, Ajimobi, said that institutions and citizens must not forget the lessons in the whole matter.
Read Also: Oyo state rebuilds Ayefele’s Music House
He said: “It is the grace and mercy of God that have made it possible for us to be where we are today; to be able to contribute to the society. I must first admit that my brother, Aiyefele, has contributed and he is still contributing immensely to the society.
“As government, it is our duty to promote and enhance the safety, security and socio-economic interests of the citizens. As a government, these we have been doing since 2011. We have been promoting peace, security and the rule of law.
“I am glad at your initiative to come here to express gratitude; even the initiative you took initially to come and discuss with the government when our agency insisted that the rules guiding the urban and physical development must be adhered to.
“We agreed on a damage control because laws had been broken already. It is gratifying that you came and agreed that you would comply with the laws. I must say that you played a major role as a good citizen to ensure that government’s goals and objectives were protected.
“The Music House is no longer a death trap now. Those within the neighbourhood and commuters are no longer being obstructed from the traffic situation on adjoining roads. Those cursing me then, where are they now that we have corrected the contraventions?
“Citizens should know that government is for them and will always support them. But in doing this, they should also be prepared to obey the laws of the land because nobody is above the law.’’
The governor, who prayed for the continuous success of Ayefele and any business he ventures into, promised to feature on his radio station for an interview soon.
He used the opportunity to admonish the media to guard against sensationalism and to be objective and factual by always establishing the veracity of their stories before publishing them.
Ajimobi, who said he appreciated the important role of the media as the fourth estate of the realm, said that journalists also owed it as a duty to promote the socio-economic values of the society and the rule of law.
According to him, the rule of law is paramount, adding that developing societies are built on strict adherence to the rule of law.
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Oyo state rebuilds Ayefele’s Music House
The Oyo state government has rebuilt Gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele’s `Music house’ it demolished in 2018.
Ayefele expressed his gratitude to the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi for rebuilding the once-demolished ‘Music House’ allegedly valued at N800m.
He took to his instagram handle @yinkaayefele to share his appreciation message a card and the caption, “Thank you sir, we appreciate you”.
The card read, “The management and staff of Yinka Ayefele Limited is using this medium to thank his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for rebuilding the music house.”
Following Ayefele’s appreciation message, fans congratulated Ayefele on getting the house back but added that the demolition was unnecessary to begin with.
@Funmionabam said, ‘The power of social media. Congrats @Yinkayefele but I would advice you to be careful.”
@Lordsfavour commented, “Happy for you Ayefele. God over everything. Thanks to the governor.”
@Hollarbesse said, “But what was the purpose of bringing down the building in the first place and then building it back up.”
In August 2018, social media users went ‘wild’ when the Oyo State government demolished the Music House for allegedly flouting state housing rules.
Although Ayefele denied breaking the law, the state government denied receipts of any court injunction restraining them from demolishing the house.
Read Also: Oyo poll: Group urges voters to vote wisely
According to Ayefele, the structure, which also housed his radio station and music studio, represented 20 years of his hard work.
The case received wide publicity and fans of the singer pleaded for the government’s assistance in rebuilding the structure as the demolition was ‘unfair’.
The Oyo State government heeded to the calls and in Nov. 2018 began rebuilding the Music House with the hope of completing before the end of 2018.
NAN
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Oyo, Ayefele feud: Alaafin, others broker peace
• Govt’ll assist in rebuilding house, says Ajimobi
The furore over the partial demolition of Music House owned by popular gospel artiste Yinka Ayefele generated much fury, especially among his admirers. But the dust has settled quickly, thanks to the intervention of the Alaafin of Oyo and other traditional rulers and the governor’s generosity of spirit. YINKA ADENIRAN reports
When the Oyo State government deployed bulldozers to demolish the Music House owned by musician Yinka Ayefele, the action depressed many. The Music House, which has become one of the most popular buildings in the ancient city of Ibadan since it was erected around the Challenge bypass 10 years ago, is home to Fresh FM, arguably the most followed radio station in Ibadan.
However, unknown to many, the issue that led to the demolition had been on between the government and the owner of the property for more than a year.
While many think the issue that led to the partial demolition was prejudicial and political, the government said it has no personal issue with Ayefele or his Fresh FM but that the action was to champion the of rule of law and respect for the laws of the land.
The demolition
The location of the station has been a subject of controversy in recent times, with the management of the station and the Oyo State government having divergent opinions, even as the government had warned that it would demolish the building.
Before the Sunday incident , a notice of demolition was said to have been served on the owner of the building. Three days after, the government demolished part of it.
Protest and knocks
Residents of Ibadan, especially fans of the Ibadan-based radio station stormed the Aare Arisekola Alao Way, Challenge, Ibadan, could not hold back tears on seeing the building in ruins.
The value of the property was said to be N800 million, aside N28 million worth of transmission equipment.
Prominent individuals who visited the station earlier included governorship candidate for Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, who was said to be in transit to Lagos when he witnessed the demolition exercise, Oyo State governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Seyi Makinde, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (ADC), Sharafadeen Aliu (ADC), a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan, Taofeek Arapaja, a member of the House of Representatives from Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency, Mr Dapo Lam-Adeshina, Olusegun Olaleye, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, among others. They were alleged to have condemned the action of the government, describing it as callous.
The genesis and govt’s position
The Oyo State government has insisted that no amount of sentiments or emotional outburst can suppress the “well-established facts that necessitated the partial demolition of the building”.
The government, which spoke through the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, his counterpart in the Ministry of Justice, Mr Seun Abimbola and the Director-General, Bureau of Physical Planning and Development, Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, said at a press conference reeled off the number of times it sent letters to the management of the building. In the letters, they said, owner of the property was requested to regularise the building plan of the Music House and radio station permit having violated regulations. The letters, they claimed, were ignored.
According to them, on June 14, last year, a letter requesting planning approval of the building was sent to the property owner, just as same was sent to several other owners of buildings in the state, including other radio stations.
A reminder letter dated August 18, 2017, was also sent to the property owner and that when the approved plan was eventually sent in; Gbadamosi said the plan was not in tandem with the original approval in some ways, including the conversion to a radio station.
“The approval submitted deviated significantly from what is on the ground,” he said.
Gbadamosi added: “The submitted building approval was actually meant for an office complex and not a radio station, thereby contravening the Oyo State Physical Planning and Development Control Laws by deviating from the approved plan which, in effect, makes the approval null and void because deceitful information was given to the approving authority and also deviation from the approval granted both in construction and use.”
Gbadamosi recalled that a letter was sent to the property owner on June 29, 2018, requesting submission of an application for a fresh building plan that will reflect the existing structures. He alleged that the radio house “deliberately ignored the letter as there was no response from their end till date.”
He said the partial demolition was carried out on Sunday because the management of the Music House deliberately ignored government’s request.
On the allegation that the demolition was a vendetta for the radio’s airing of a comment alleging that Governor Abiola Ajimobi has an interest in the Ibadan Central Abattoir, Arulogun reminded reporters that the letter requesting Music House to submit a fresh application was delivered on June 29 while the comment was made on June 30, 2018. He pointed out that government could not have acted on a comment that was not yet made.
The commissioner emphasised that the government was following the law of the land for the safety of the people.
Counter-claim by Ayefele
However, Ayefele has a divergent view to the government’s position. He insisted that the building did not contravene any building law because it has the necessary approvals from relevant government agencies.
In a statement Ayefele issued to counter government’s claim, he said: “We want to make it clear that Music House followed due process in its construction and got relevant approvals from state departments and agencies associated with lands and buildings. Blaming three accidents that occurred on the road in the last nine months on the Music House Complex is just an attempt by the Commissioner to run away from his shadow.
“Governor Ajimobi had said some politicians had advised 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 public to know that Music House has not, in any way, contravened any building plan law as the Commissioner had claimed. Music House has existed for almost 10 years and we have all the necessary documents from relevant government agencies to back our position. “Some questions we need to ask the Commissioner are: Why is the government collecting tenement rate from us when they know we contravened building plan law? Why did the government approve 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 accidents along this road. Perhaps, it is also responsible for accidents on Ring Road and other parts of the state.”
Reconciliatory moves
Despite the week beginning on a sordid note, by Thursday, there were signs that amicable resolution of the matter was in sight. the Governor, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Ayefele met behind closed doors for hours.
The meeting was said to have been brokered by a leading governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Joseph Tegbe, who also led Ayefele and his team to the the Governor’s office. He was accompanied by a director in his company, Mr David Ajiboye and a radio host, Mr Isaac Brown, among others.
Some of the monarchs at the meeting with the governor included Oba Adeyemi, the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle, Iba of Kishi land, Oba Moshood Aweda and Onipetu of Ijeru land, Oba Sunday Oyediran, among others.
Also, the Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Arulogun, the Director-General, Bureau of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Waheed Gbadamosi, who also doubles as the Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Physical Planning and Development Control, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, the APC governorship aspirant, Joseph Tegbe, Special Advisers to the Governor (on Efficiency) Dr. Isaac Ayandele and Mr. Abidemi Siyanbade (Community Relations) respectively, were also part of the government’s team.
At the meeting, the Governor expressed the willingness to settle the matter, insisting that neither himself nor his government had any issue with either Ayefele or Fresh FM but with the structure housing the radio station. He said the issue is a battle for the supremacy of rule or law and respect for the laws of the land.
The Alaafin, in a short remark, appealed to the Governor to show mercy and allow for peaceful and amicable resolution of the matter.
Ayefele was reported to have apologised to the governor, even as he regretted not going to see the governor personally when the issue first broke out, instead of doing so in writing and by proxy. He also expressed readiness for amicable resolution of the matter in the interest of peace.
To ensure commitment to peace, a committee was set up in which both parties were represented. The committee will report back to the governor, who it was reported had instructed both parties to ensure a mutually-consented stand was reached in the interest of peace.
Although no party spoke on the outcome of the meeting, sources privy to the discussion described the outcome as fruitful and progressive, assuring that the matter would soon be resolved amicably.
On the path of peace
Aware of the implication of the demolition, the Governor shocked many perceived political enemies when he allegedly promised to support Ayefele in rebuilding the demolished building.
Governor Ajimobi gave the assurance while speaking at a reception organised to mark the 90th birthday of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, on Sunday, exactly a week after the demolition.
Speaking at the event, Ajimobi was said to have promised that his administration will take up the responsibility of rebuilding the N800 worth Music House because he does not want his political enemies to use that to attack his administration.
He said: “I want to say that the imbroglio between the state government and Yinka Ayefele over the demolition of his Music House has been resolved. And I pledge the government’s commitment to assist him.”
All the dignitaries at the event, including all the governorship aspirants of the APC such as Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN); Mr. Soji Eniade; Chief Bayo Adelabu, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Mr Isaac Omodewu, Prof. Soji Adejumo, Dr Olusola Ayandele and Dr Azeez Adeduntan praised Governor Ajimobi for his high-mindedness.
But before the governor’s speech at the event, there was a mild drama, as Ayefele, on arriving at the venue, went to greet Governor Ajimobi, making many guests at the ceremony to hail the popular gospel musician.
This, observers noted, apparently necessitated the assurance by the governor that his administration will rebuild the partially demolished Music House. But others are of the view that the governor only succumbed to pressure from both families and associates.
Ajimobi, who also hailed the popular gospel musician for his action, said he has no issue with Ayefele again after the reconciliatory meeting on Thursday.
The governor, who explained that his administration went against Ayefele for violating town planning law, insisted that the only way to avoid face-off with the law is for every citizen to be law-abiding.
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Ajimobi-Ayefele Saga: Not exactly David versus Goliath
Peace has supposedly broken out in the weeklong saga over the partial demolition by the Oyo State Government, of a building in the Challenge area of Ibadan, belonging to the popular singer and entrepreneur, Yinka Ayefele.
On Thursday, a parley ostensibly put together by an All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant and sundry peacemakers doused the fire. In attendance were Oyo State State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, as well as the singer Ayefele and a couple of others.
At the pow-wow, the governor reportedly declared that the demolition was all about enforcing law and order and that he had nothing against Ayefele as a person. The singer, for his part, pronounced himself a law-abiding citizen who had always replied all correspondence on the building infractions levelled against him.
After Ayefele’s team prostratged themselves before Ajimobi and the Oba, he was absolved of his ‘sins’ and assured of an amicable resolution of a saga that had provided feverish excitement and entertainment for the baying mob on social media for days.
For the governor, the truce must have been welcome relief from the unrelenting bashing which has painted him as a stubborn autocrat who plunged into a public relations disaster with eyes wide open.
Even, the peace meeting, which seeks to bring closure to the storm, is not all positive for him. Irrespective of who initiated the talks, the truth is he has come across as a Goliath – backed by all the awesome powers of state – who has been brought to heel by a physically-challenged but wildly-popular entertainer. It may not be the fairest of characterisations, but that is just the way it is.
In reality, though, this is not your everyday replay of the Biblical David versus Goliath conflict. There is a bit of that, and lots more about what has brought Nigeria into the pitiable condition it finds itself today.
In an environment where sentiment often trumps reason in public discourse, Ajimobi’s feeble attempt to stand on the law and order high ground was bound to fail. Nigerians are more likely to side with the underdog – with the powerful symbolism of his physical handicap – against a powerful politician portrayed as arrogant and unfeeling.
So, while the government swiftly rushed to the court of public opinion with series of letters sent to Ayefele’s organisation about deviations from the approved building plan, the irate denizens of social media neither had the patience nor inclination to wade through tons of official correspondence, or even digest the content. They reacted emotionally to photos of Ayefele – chin in his palm – staring sorrowfully as the bulldozers chewed up parts of his building.
The rage was raw, the reactions viral. Official rationalisations were never going to catch up. Did Ayefele deviate from the approved building plan? Were there genuine concerns about public safety for users of the road arising from the unauthorised alterations? Did he ignore past correspondence from the authorities on the matter?
It didn’t matter. People were more concerned about the fate of the over 100 people said to be working for the singer who stood to lose their jobs if the roof came down on the structure.
Ajimobi understood what he was up against because in the heat of the debate, he wondered whether Ayefele should be allowed to get away with the violations just because he had problems with his legs. That may not have been the most politic of comments to make, but it certainly goes straight to the heart of the matter.
Two of the greatest challenges limiting this nation today are impunity and sentiment: impunity on the parts of the governors and the governed. Countries that work function properly because laws are enforced and there is order. If you beat the traffic light, a ticket would be delivered at your doorstep as surely as the sun rises from the east.
The contrary is what we’ve become. Everyone wants to be free to do as he or she likes – and the laws be damned.
On account of this reckless disregard for what is lawful, greedy developers who were allowed to bend the rules, end up as mass murderers when their flawed structures collapse on innocent victims.
In some Nigerian cities, roads have become concrete jungles where motorists are engaged daily in mortal combat where only the fittest and their automobiles return home in one piece. Crazed ‘Okada’ riders chase harried pedestrians off the sidewalk. Desperate drivers going against traffic, hurtle towards those with right of way like weapons of mass destruction. The wise get out of their way in hurry. Desensitised traffic officials and the police look away – unconcerned.
A government that attempts to restore sanity would soon be told how wicked it is because it wants to restrain maniacal ‘Okada’ riders and crazed drivers from endangering other road users. We are so blinded by sentiment that we’ve lost all sense of what sane behaviour is about.
We need to accept that where there are violations of the law, whether with regards to building regulations, traffic or cold-blooded murder, responsible government must take action.
But this should not be mistaken for an endorsement of how the Oyo government went about tackling this messy episode.
For one, things could have been addressed before the structure was developed to its current state. What happened to the stage by stage reviews by the building authorities? What actions did they take to halt further building when the first deviations were noticed?
Even when matters came to a head with the three-day demolition notice, the needless controversy could have been avoided because Ayefele went to court and supposedly obtained an injunction. It is easy for the government to claim it was unaware of any such judicial intervention. The controversial building has been standing for years, waiting another couple of days to verify the true status of the legal action would have hurt no one. The question many have asked – justifiably – is what was the mad rush about? Was there some deadline that had to be met?
Even more suspicious was the fact that the demolition crew set about their task at the unusual hour of 4.30am – a time when God-fearing civil servants would still be snoring in their beds. Such efficiency is unheard of in state bureaucracies notorious for their snail speed.
And so the government staggered from one unforced error to another – until it was put out of its misery by last Thursday’s parley.
Even if it was so zealous about enforcing the law, there’s always a wise way to act and an appropriate time to take action.
With barely four months to the next general election, this miscalculated demolition was akin to shooting oneself in the foot with a Dane gun. Already, many on social media had begun threatening retribution against the ruling party. Maybe some will forgive and forget, but depend on it that the opposition would not let voters forget in a hurry.
Perhaps, the governor wanted to come across as a firm and no-nonsense administrator who would not brook breaches of the law no matter how eminent the offender is. The question would then be that he should have stood his ground and damned the consequences, having established that there were violations.
As things stand, it is the government that is being made to look like it backed down in the face of unrelenting public criticism. Instead of appearing tough, Ajimobi has across like someone who was only too glad to have been offered a dignified way of escape from a tight spot by the peacemakers.
To argue otherwise would raise this scenario: if some offending individual without Ayefele’s celebrity and physical challenges had been at the receiving end of this demolition, would the governor and traditional rulers be convening peace talks? After this bruising encounter would the government still have stomach to embark on demolitions where egregious violations of the building code are identified?
Hopefully, some enduring lessons have been learnt about the uses and application of state power in pursuit of our common good. For those on the other side, perhaps time has come to ponder whether laws should be scrapped in Nigeria and every man should be left to his own devices.
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Undue haste
It is difficult for someone to comment on the face-off between the Oyo State government and ace musician, Mr Yinka Ayefele, without at least a tinge of emotions. And I guess that was one thing the Oyo State government did not reckon with or simply ignored or underrated in the build-up to the avoidable imbroglio. Yes, imbroglio because it has become messy. Governor Abiola Ajimobi can only claim not to be perturbed by the criticisms of his government over its demolition of parts of the Music House where Ayefele’s broadcasting station, the Fresh FM based in Ibadan, the state capital, is situated, only if (to recall the Yoruba saying) he has eaten the head of a tortoise. I have the feeling that the governor is just grandstanding in his statement that being handicapped is not an excuse for someone to break the law. Something tells me that if Governor Ajimobi is not already reflecting that he could have handled the matter differently, he would do so sometime in the future. Indeed, if there is anything going for Ayefele now, it is the fact the he is perceived as the underdog that is being harassed by the almighty state government. Simply put, Ayefele is riding on the crest of being an underdog in the matter.
As a Yoruba man, I guess the governor must be aware of the proverb o na mi ko dun mi; ko dabi ara ofo. In other words, there is a difference between someone that was flogged and says he did not feel the pain and the person that was not flogged at all. The point I am making is that the state government does not need the kind of negative publicity that the demolition generated; it is not good for its image at all, this is much more so when it is avoidable. I do not know what the state government would have lost if it had tarried for the case in court over the matter to be decided. If the government had waited this long, why couldn’t it wait a little longer for the court’s pronouncement?
But this appears the predictable pattern in governments across the country. They appear to be ever ready and willing to show their ‘tigretude’ (apologies to Prof Wole Soyinka), sometimes even over inconsequential matters. I remember the story of one of the south west governors a few years ago who had gone to a trouble spot on the prompting of some local politicians in the state who told ‘His Excellency’ that he had to go there in order to impress it on the trouble makers and their ilk who might be thinking of formenting trouble in future that he is the executive governor of the state! Pray, is there a non-executive governor? Can there be two governors in a state? It is instructive that no life was lost when the governor’s wife who had earlier gone to the place visited. But when ‘His Excellency’ decided to go on a ‘reconnaissance mission’, a student was killed in the ensuing fracas. I wonder how, till today, the parents of that student would feel whenever they remember the sad incident. I wonder too if the said governor would still have handled the situation the same way if confronted with it today.
But that is the way of many of our political leaders. The kind of people that mill around them, the praise orchestra who clap for ‘Their Excellencies’ when they know in their heart of hearts that what their principals are about doing would have negative consequences on the government they are serving. Some of those who chose to be bold to tell it as it is would either get fired or the governors would keep them at an arm’s length, if they cannot fire them outright.
Although Oyo State government’s partial demolition of Ayefele’s property at about 5.30 a.m. last Sunday was not the first such demolition in the early hours, those of us out of government should be asking why most governments find it convenient to carry out such tasks at such ungodly hours. When in February, the Kaduna State government pulled down the building of Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi , a property used as the secretariat of a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna, it was done at about 5.00 a.m.
Then, in the Ayefele’s case, the man had approached an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan seeking to stop the demolition. His counsel, Mr Olayinka Bolanle, in an exparte motion, filed before the court, sought for an order restraining the state government from demolishing the property pending the determination of the suit. He added that due process was followed in the construction of the structure while relevant approvals were obtained from the state’s departments and agencies associated with land and housing. Justice I. Yerima, in his wisdom, ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent and adjourned the case till Monday for the hearing of the ex-parte motion. But the court process would appear to have been aborted as the state government demolished the structure on Sunday.
I wish there is a way the courts could be punishing persons and institutions that treat court orders disdainfully. In several respects, the impunity that the Oyo State government demonstrated in violating the court order is what many governments, including the Federal Government, do. Yes, we could say Ayefele preempted the government’s determination to bring down his building, hence his rushing to court when he did when, actually, the issue did not just start today. So, why did he wait till now before going to court? But then, there is no time that an aggrieved party cannot go to court to seek redress. The moment Ayefele had gone to court, the government, as a law-abiding entity, ought to have suspended action on the property, at least pending the resolution of the matter. Our politicians should not give the impression that the courts matter only when their votes are stolen or election figures are altered in favour of their opponents.
Another common trend is that of governments taking on their opponents in the most cynical manner. Fresh FM might have been critical of the state government; that does not necessarily make it an enemy of the government. Even if it is an enemy; that is no excuse for the government to clamp down on it the way it did. After all, as we are seeing all over the country in the shameless defections by many of our politicians, there are no permanent friends or foes. What has remained permanent is the interest of the individual politician, not even that of their constituencies. At any rate, should a media house be friend to any particular government? Shouldn’t it carry out its functions as it deemed fit? Where then is objectivity if a station has to be a permanent friend of a government?
But nothing I have said so far should be taken as support for Ayefele, especially if he violated any building code. I love Ayefele’s music like millions of other Nigerians. But that would not make me support illegality on his part, or on the part of anyone for that matter. I perfectly understand the consequences of people violating building codes. But I am worried more because we are in a democracy and the government should be a little more sensitive to the public mood in many of the decisions it wants to take. This is not necessarily saying it should be led by it. Then the courts; our political leaders should accord them more respect. But we do not seem to have much of that anywhere in the country now. And it is worrisome.