The question, “Where Are The Prophets?” which a Nigerian reggae musician, Peterside Ottong, asked in his music album in 1989 seems to be reverberating once again after Governor Abiola Ajimobi led government in Oyo State demolished the building of popular Juju musician, Mr Yinka Ayefele on grounds of violation against the physical planning law of the state and failure to regularise the structural planning document for the building. The worth of the building, which housed a radio station, Fresh FM, is widely reported to be N800m.
For the benefit of those that are not familiar with issues in the Christendom, the primary responsibility of a prophet is to bring direction and correction to the Church or to the Nation. Many of the prophets of the Old Testament found themselves confronting kings, and taking an important role in national affairs. Some also addressed their words to foreign nations. They demonstrated the ministry of the Prophet to the Nation.
It may not be out of place in this context to liken what Ajumobi did to Ayefele to what David in the bible did to Uriah. The wanton level of injustice and oppression which David exhibited against Uriah by snatching his wife from him was unacceptable to God that he had to send his prophet, Nathan, to David. There is no denying the fact that the meeting between David and Nathan was not in any way congenial. In 2 Samuel 12 Nathan confronts David regarding his relationship with Bathsheba and the cover-up of their affair. The Lord had commanded Nathan to share a story of a rich man who took and killed a poor man’s only lamb. David was justifiably angry at the injustice (verses 5–6). Nathan then answered, “You are the man!” (verse 7). David had blood on his hands. He was guilty of killing Bathsheba’s husband as well as committing adultery. God brought judgment upon David for his sin, including the death of his and Bathsheba’s child. However, David repented, was forgiven, and remained king.
At this juncture, it cannot be said to be an exaggeration to say that Ajumobi needs a prophet in the mould of Nathan to tell him that the social care and welfare of the people which ordinarily is the responsibility of his government has been deliberately prejudiced as what happened to Ayefele literarily under his watchful eyes is a vicious attack on the majority of the people who voted him to power. After all, a Yoruba adage has it that “The cane they used to flog the first wife is always at the back of the door waiting for the second wife.” Who says what happened to Ayefele cannot happen to someone else before the governor leaves office? On the other hand it would be foolhardy to allow the precedent which the governor has set to become enduring.
Ajumobi needs a prophet to tell him that by allowing Ayefele’s property to be demolished that he has denied him his rights on Access of Justice as enshrined in article 13 of the United Nation’s Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities.
The provision states that “Parties shall ensure effective access to justice for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others, including through the provision of procedural and age-appropriate accommodations, in order to facilitate their effective role as direct and indirect participants, including as witnesses, in all legal proceedings, including at investigative and other preliminary stages.” Against the foregoing international law which Nigeria unarguably subscribed to, there is no denying the fact that the access to justice for Ayefele was brazenly blocked as the demolition of the property was carried out despite the fact that the issue had been taken to the court. The governor should be told that the action seriously undermines the integrity and authority of the courts.
Permit me to leave the prophet out of this at this juncture, and allow me to opine that it is becoming increasingly difficult not to associate such catastrophic demolition of Ayefele’s property with something deeper, something more visceral. One need to ask why did Ajumobi and some officials of Oyo State government that brought down the property to rubble so bent on treating the Juju maestro the way they did? Is there something about him they just can’t stomach?
The foregoing line of thought cannot be farfetched as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) in a letter dated August 21, 2018 and signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale has stated: “We have information to suggest that the destruction of Fresh FM was based on political considerations and retaliation against the radio station on purported allegations of defamation against you. The facts suggest that the demolition of Fresh FM building failed to comply with the principle of lawfulness and reasonableness. The demolition was neither done in the public interest nor carried out to achieve a legitimate aim.”
Without any modicum of hyperbole, Louis Brandeis ‘said that “Our government… teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy”, found expression in the demolition of Ayefele’s property in Oyo State.
To my view, the governor and Oyo state government should begin to demonstrate the willingness to rightfully take responsibility for its mistakes against Ayefele. The governor should have a rethink in his way of administering various political constituencies in the state, and by extension imbibe a high sense of probity in relating to his entire constituents as they were the people that made his present official position possible through their votes.
Asabor wrote in from Lagos.
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