SAN FRANCISCO, August 24, (THEWILL) – Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo state, on Thursday, met with Yinka Ayefele, a musician, over the demolition of his music and radio studio by the state.
This is the first meeting between both men since the Oyo state government pulled down Music House belonging to the musician.
The government had said the building, estimated at N800 million, violated the originally approved plan of the area.
Toye Arulogun, commissioner for information, had said the building was demolished because it is “structurally defective (and) poses danger or constitutes a nuisance to the occupier or the general public”.
The action of the government had sparked outrage, with many accusing the governor of not being sympathetic to the plight of the musician who was confined to a wheelchair after an accident.
But Ajimobi defended his action in an interview with BBC Yoruba.
“Just like the house they said we demolished, that man didn’t obey the law, now. People are now saying because he’s physically challenged; so if one is physically challenged, then he should break the law?” Ajimobi had said.
“They said he employed people, are armed robbers not employers of labour too? Should we now say because armed robbers employ people, they should continue to rob and terrorise others?
“We shall pity them… But we have to obey the law.”
THEWILL gathered that the meeting was facilitated by a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and had the backing of popular monarchs in the state.
