There are indications that the ongoing rift between the Oyo State government and the Proprietor of Fresh FM, Ibadan, Yinka Ayefele would soon be over, as the popular gospel musician had met with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state.
Ayefele who arrived the Agodi Governor’s office at about 11:30am, Friday, was led in by a leading governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, in company of David Ajiboye, a director with Yinka Ayefele Limited, Isaac Brown, a radio host and other officials.
On arrival at the governor office, Ayefele was ushered into a private waiting area awaiting the arrival of the governor.
Upon arrival in the office, the governor however went straight into the Executive chamber, where the executive members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were waiting.
Meanwhile, the visit of Ayefele to the Government Secretariat coincided with that of the traditional rulers from Oyo town and Oke Ogun who were at the governor office to greet the governor in the spirit of the Eid festivities.
The traditional rulers numbering over 30, made up of first class and second class from the zones were led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
But immediately after the meeting with the NURTW members who were on a condolence visit, the governor proceeded into the private suite to meet Ayefele and his team.
Ajimobi was accompanied into the private meeting by Oba Adeyemi, the Eleruwa of Eruwa Oba Samuel Adegbola, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle, Iba of Kishiland, Oba Moshood Aweda, Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oyediran among others.
With the governor at the meeting was the Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, the Director General, Bureau of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Waheed Gbadamosi, who also doubles as the Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Physical Planning and Development Control, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, APC guber aspirant, Tegbe and some aides.
The meeting followed intervention by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Joseph Tegbe, and other eminent personalities.
Ayefele’s manager, David Ajiboye, in a Facebook post, confirmed that the meeting was facilitated by Tegbe.
“We just left a meeting with the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the Governor’s office. The meeting was facilitated by a guber aspirant, Joseph Tegbe,” Ajiboye wrote.
Oba Adeyemi and other traditional rulers, who had a meeting with the governor around the same time, also pleaded on behalf of the singer.
Ayefele was accompanied by Tegbe and some staff of the musician’s Fresh FM radio station.
Ajimobi, who agreed to set up a committee to look into the matter, emphasised the importance of the rule of law, saying Ayefele should have responded to various letters written to him by the state government.
He stated that the demolition exercise was not a witch-hunt nor politically motivated as claimed, adding it was due to contravention of the state planning laws.
Ajimobi described Ayefele as a good man and a responsible citizen, stressing that the next step is to compassionately find a means to resolve the issue.
He advised the musician to warn his people against unethical writings and broadcast, promising to solve the issue.
The Alaafin also pleaded with the governor on behalf of Ayefele.
Oba Adeyemi, who described Ayefele as a good son, asked the governor to find a lasting solution to the issue.
Earlier, Ayefele stated that his office responded to all letters forwarded to it by the state government, adding he had also made several attempts to see the governor without success.
He expressed regret for not coming in person to see the governor instead of sending emissaries who failed to deliver his messages.
Ayefele stated that he was a law-abiding and respectful citizen, who is ready to comply with regulations of the state government.