Condemnations have continued to trail Sunday’s demolition of Music House, a building which houses Fresh FM, a radio station owned by Mr. Yinka Ayefele, a popular Juju musician in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The building, DAILY POST recalls, was demolished in the early hours of Sunday by agents of Oyo state government.
But, African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial aspirant in the state, Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, while reacting, described the demolition of the edifice as “callous, inhuman and the highest degree of impunity”.
Alli, in a statement issued on his behalf by Mr. Taiwo Ibrahim, his media aide, lamented that “such an action could be taken in a supposedly democratic environment”.
He said, “I wonder why a consideration cannot be given to allow for dialogue and embrace the rule of law especially where the means of livelihood of hundreds are involved.
“This is impunity of the highest order.
“If a single individual could be giving life to people, something the government has failed to abdicating its own social responsibility, and we feel the best way to reward him is to bring him down for the only reason known to the governor, then no one is safe again.”
Also reacting, the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo
State Chapter, sympathised with members of staff of the station and its owner.
SWAN, in a statement signed by the duo of Alhaji Adeniyi Alebiosu and Mr. Adewale Tijani, Chairman and Secretary respectively, stated that it shared in the grief of the owner Mr. Yinka Ayefele and his staff.
The statement read, “The entire members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Oyo state Chapter sympathise with the our colleagues at Fresh FM, Ibadan as well as the owner Dr Joel Yinka Ayefele (MON) and staff of the radio outfit over the demolition of the building housing the radio station.
“Our hearts solemnly go out to all those adversely affected by the building’s demolition.
“We share in your grief and sorrow.
“May God in His infinite mercy to comfort you and replace your loss with greater blessing. Amen”.
