News
Protesters shut down Ibadan as govt demolishes Ayefele’s radio station
A mammoth crowed abandoned church services to sympathize with the popular gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele over part demolition of his radio station building, Fresh FM, situated along Lagos-Ibadan by-pass.
The demolition team which arrived the office complex around 5 am on Sunday, according to an eyewitness started its operations, with gunshot to scare the residents away from coming out of their respective houses.
Oyo state Government had last week issued a three-day ultimatum to Ayefele, claiming the construction of the station contravened town planning laws.
Ayefele went to court to stop the demolition.
At the expressway, trucks and small vehicles heading towards Lagos and coming into the city of Ibadan were held up in traffic that lasted for over eight hours on Sunday while many going to their respective places of worship were making u-turn.
Many youth ceased the opportunities to destroy some posters and bill boards belonging to a certain political party as part of the grievances against the demolition of the station.
Though, Dr. Yinka Ayefele declined interview with press men but lamented on his Facebook account in a very short but terse statement: “Oyo state government did it at last… My pains, my sweat… So help me God,” he said.
Director of Yinka Ayefele Nigeria Limited, David Ajiboye who told reporters that the edifice has all the documents obtained from the state government for the establishment of business organization at that spot said the station had lost a new equipment worth N28million in the demolition.
Ajiboye said the Challenge-Lagos-Ibadan axis was approved by government as a business premises but was surprised that government could say it was not meant for radio station.
He said the government in its claims said the canteen and spiral staircase in the building were not in the building plan.
The director of the organisation further identified a commissioner in the current dispensation in the state as behind the crisis saying the commissioner had approached the station to stop certain programmes on the station.
He noted that the station was forced to reply him that it was only Nigeria Broadcasting corporation (NBC) that has the right to sanction a radio programme on air or close the station in totality.
He believed that the station was fair to all the political parties in the state as against the believe of the government that fresh FM was working for a certain political party in the state.
Ajiboye said court notice was received by attorney-general and Commissioner for justice on Friday on behalf of the State government which the first hearing was expected to come up on Monday the state government embarked on demolition on Sunday without waiting for the outcome of the court proceedings.
When our correspondent arrived the station around 7:30am, the protesters were raining curses on the people behind the demolition, while many others were crying as sign of sympathy.
Some side-talk showed that many of the protesters travelled from neighbouring states to witness the actions taken by the state government.
A state-owned commercial bus popularly called Ajumose bus was parked at the front of the radio station which people said was deliberately parked at the spot as trap sympathizers.
One of the protesters, also resident in the area, Akeem Jabaru said the government of the day proved that it has no respect for the rule of law with its actions.
He noted that the demolition was inhumane because he knew that over 200 widows are on pay roll of the station while 150 workers are receiving salaries from Ayefele monthly.
“They thought we are going to vandalise the bus so that they can begin to say Ayefele had destroyed the state property, but we have told our people never to do that. We knew it was a trap, but we will play maturely,” he said.
Another sympathiser, Lanre Babatunde said going by his profession as a surveyor, he had observed that there are plots of land that was supposed to be demolished without getting to the station if truly it’s affecting the road.
Politicians in the state also visited the office complex and condemn the development.
A stalwarts of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Barrister Sarafadeen Alli, Femi Lanleyin, Hon. Dapo Lam-Adesina, Hon. Segun Olaleye, former governor Taofeek Arapaja, that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr Seyi Makinde.
They all described it as anti human and undemocratic, saying the crowd at the spot showed that the multitude are happy with Ayefele as against that of the government.
As at the time of this report, commissioner for information, Toye Arulogun, could not be reached.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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