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Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Tuesday reacted to the outrage that greeted the demolition of musician Yinka Ayefele’s Music House in Ibadan on Sunday.
The governor alleged that Mr Ayefele’s conduct contravenes the law of the state.
A video clip published by BBC News Yoruba, the station’s indigenous language outfit, said Mr Ajimobi spoke shortly after the Eid prayer on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
In the clip, the governor also dismissed points raised by sympathisers that Mr Ayefele was physically challenged, adding that his status should give him no immunity against the law.
Correspondents reported how the Music House building of Mr Ayefele was demolished on Sunday.
The building houses Mr Ayefele’s Fresh FM.
The demolition was condemned by the Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Union of Journalists and many other Nigerians.
But on Tuesday, Mr Ajimobi alleged that Mr Ayefele didn’t obey the law of the state.
Speaking in Yoruba, he said, “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?
“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?”
The governor however promised to ‘pity’ the musician, adding that the law nevertheless must be obeyed.
“And we told them that, that road… er, well, we shall pity them. But we have to obey the law,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, the Oyo State Government took two contrasting positions on the demolition exercise.
While the government at a press conference insisted due process was followed in the partial demolition of the building, its counsel told an Ibadan high court the government knew nothing about the demolition.
The development came after the government suffered widespread condemnation following the demolition of the building.
The Oyo State Government and Mr Ayefele have been locked in a war of words over the location of the building in recent weeks.
