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Hostilities Over As Ajimobi Agrees To Compensate Ayefele Over Music House Demolition

“Ajimobi agreed to ensure financial compensation for Ayefele, with the terms of the recompense to be discussed at a later meeting between the Governor and the management of the station," a source who witnessed the meeting, stated.

Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo State Governor, has expressed willingness to compensate ace gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele, over the demolition of his Music House.

Ayefele’s Music House, which houses Fresh FM radio, was partially demolished on Sunday by the Oyo State Government.

There has been much back and forth on the issues that led to the demolition. However, after a meeting between Ajimobi, Ayefele and other key stakeholders in the state, on Thursday, an official of Fresh FM, who spoke to SaharaReporters, said the management of the Music House and government have agreed to sort out the issues.

“We agreed on a cessation of hostilities and harmonisation of grey areas on the building structure and compensation," the official said. “New plan accommodating demolished structures and areas of infractions will be approved by the Governor within a week of completing the drawings."

At the meeting, Ajimobi advised Ayefele to submit a new building plan that covers the additional part of the building (toilets, staff canteen and powerhouse).

The singer’s architect would work with the officials in the state government's Department of Physical Planning to work out the modalities and the approval, while the fence of the building would be moved back a few metres. 

The Governor was also said to have agreed to compensate Ayefele, although the figure is yet to be discussed by both parties.

“Ajimobi agreed to ensure financial compensation for Ayefele, with the terms of the recompense to be discussed at a later meeting between the Governor and the management of the station.”

In another meeting between Ayefele and Toye Arulogun, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, it was gathered that Ayefele blamed the Commissioner for being behind the demolition of his property.

A source who witnessed the meeting said: “Arulogun wanted Ayefele and Fresh FM to help redeem his image, the Governor and the APC, in the eyes of the people of Oyo State.

“That did not go down with Ayefele, who stated that he did not create the image problem and would not be part of its redemption.”

Dignitaries present at the meeting between Ayefele and Ajimobi on Thursday resolved the issue between both parties, while agreeing that hostilities would be brought to an end.