Popular gospel musician, Dr Yinka Ayefele, whose N800m Music House building was demolished last Sunday was all tears yesterday as he recounted how he paid beyond what he should have paid to get approval.
Ayefele, flanked by some of his staffers, spoke during a press conference to counter the state government. The government had said Ayefele didn’t possess necessary documents for the building which houses the popular Fresh 105.9 FM.
Only last week, the government had issued a 3-day ultimatum to the owner to provide necessary documents or risk demolition. Ayefele later sued the government. The court later fixed yesterday for hearing only for the building to be demolished on Sunday morning, 24 hours to the court sitting.
Though the demolition has generated criticisms from within and far, the state government insisted that the musician doesn’t possess necessary document.
Speaking, Ayefele said apart from going to court, his wife was with the government till around 3 am on Saturday, disclosing that Governor Abiola Ajimobi gave his wife the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) and assured that he will not demolish the building.
Titled “Governor Ajimobi and the Sunday breakfast disaster”, Ayefele disclosed that during the visit to the governor on Saturday, his wife was on her knees begging the governor for several hours not to demolish the building, adding that he was surprised that the building was demolished despite the Governor’s assurance to the wife.
Ayefele insisted that contrary to the claim of the government that the building contravened town planning law, he has necessary papers for the building housing his radio station, Fresh FM 105.9.
In the speech, which was read in an emotion-laden voice, Ayefele said his wife was in Ajimobi’s house to beg the governor not to demolish the building, noting that Ajimobi promised to look into the matter.
Ayefele, who said he would have followed his wife to beg the governor if not that he was on hospital bed, disclosed that the governor even gave his wife the sum of $1,000 when she was leaving his (Ajimobi) house.
He, however, said he was surprised that the state government went ahead to demolish the building few hours later.
Ayefele said, “I am sad that all I laboured for for almost twenty years had been pulled down.
“Let me also bring to your notice that that my wife was with the governor till around 3.00 a.m on Saturday. She was able to meet the governor and he assured her that the building will not be demolished and as an assurance, when she was leaving, the governor gave her $1,000”.
Ayefele revealed further that, “I am so sad that all my sweat had been pulled down. I am handicapped, and I work round the clock to ensure that I did not beg. My vision was to put in place an edifice that will house radio and television stations. I paid beyond normal charges to get the approval for the building. I was shocked when they said I don’t have necessary papers.”
