Singer Yinka Ayefele‘sbuilding in Ibadan, which houses his studio and radio station Fresh FM was on Sunday demolished by the Oyo State government for “contravening the state’s planning laws”.
The singer had on Thursday filed a suit saying the building was constructed following due process and approval from the state government, seeking also that a restraining order be issued to stop the government from carrying out the action pending the determination of the suit.
The hearing for the ex parte motion was however adjourned to today (Monday).
Unfortunately, the building was demolished on Sunday.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiya, its National Publicity Secretary, has reacted to the action saying;
We condemn in strong terms the unlawful demolition of a building belonging to a musical maestro, Yinka Aiyefele, in Ibadan, by agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Oyo state government.
The demolition of the building, said to worth more than N800 million and which houses Aiyefele’s Flash FM and his recording studio, in spite of a valid court order, is horrifying, wicked and speaks volume of the insensitivity of the perpetrators.
It’s important for all Nigerians to note that, Aiyefele’s building was demolished for allegedly singing songs considered to be against the interest of the (APC), even when our Constitution allows all citizens right to free speech, freedom of opinion and association within the ambits of the law.
The PDP alerts Nigerians of a dangerous trend whereby the current clampdown on the media is now being extended to other public opinion moulders, including musicians and perhaps actors.
The party therefore calls on all public spirited groups and individuals and groups to condemn this emerging assault on free citizens for no just cause.
Nigerians must, at all time, be free to hold and canvass opinion, politically associate and aspire, as long as their actions are within the ambits of our laws.
Presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar, in a tweet also said:
The reports of the demolition of a radio station in Oyo fills me with a deep sadness. Press freedom is sacrosanct. It’s equally saddening that at a time when jobs are badly needed, a radio station which was providing jobs is needlessly demolished.
#sad
The reports of the demolition of a radio station in Oyo fills me with a deep sadness. Press freedom is sacrosanct.
It’s equally saddening that at a time when jobs are badly needed, a radio station which was providing jobs is needlessly demolished. #sadhttps://t.co/rQuqNOUlra
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) August 19, 2018
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, representing Bayelsa East at the Upper Chamber also said:
If Yinka Ayefele had built that radio station in England or America, he would have received an award. He built it in Nigeria to provide jobs and he received bulldozers instead. Yet we say we want investors.
If Yinka Ayefele had built that radio station in England or America, he would have received an award. He built it in Nigeria to provide jobs and he received bulldozers instead. Yet we say we want investors.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) August 19, 2018
See more reactions below:
I have read arguments for and against Oyo State governments demolition of Yinka Ayefele’s building. Whatever the intentions, Governor Isiaka Abiola @AAAjimobi came out looking vindictive, his PR machine must now be in complete shambles. His own recorded voice now indicting him.
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) August 20, 2018
… abide by the outcomes and refrain from taking further step that can prejudice the case and render the final decision nugatory.”
This is a gross abuse of power by @oyostategovt. Government at all levels must take actions within the armbit of law and civility.— EiE Nigeria (@EiENigeria) August 20, 2018
Fresh FM wasn’t the only building demolished along ring road, Ibadan. Besides the building wasn’t demolished, just its extention due to setback law infringement.
Yinka Ayefele get two heads abi, so his building should have been exempted cos he dey sing abi?
Nigerians sha😏😏 pic.twitter.com/UeAAXjTMYv— Olasoji Fash 💞 (@QS_Soji) August 19, 2018
Not a great fan of the ajimobi’s govt , infact it is a waste of the voters mandate. That said, I have always felt that ayefele’s building is in the middle of the road. Ajimobi’s motive may be and most likely wrong, but that building shouldn’t be.
— Debo adesanya (@Dee_critic) August 20, 2018
I just found out that Yinka Ayefele’s music house wasn’t the only house demolished in the area. Infact, the whole street is under construction. So why are we politicising this? What of those other people? Oh, they aren’t almighty Yinka Ayefele. Nigerians are just too toxic.
— Tolulope Ebun (@miss_tbag) August 20, 2018
