Killings: Monarch curses politicians, their children

The Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, has placed curses on politicians and their children over killings in his domain.

He also threatened to banish any politician who unleashes mayhem in his domain, or kills any Ijesa person in the name of politics.

The monarch not only threatened to banish such murderous politicians from Ijesaland, he also placed an anticipatory curse on their children, invoking the fire of God to consume them wherever they may be.

Oba Haastrup spoke at the induction of five worthy Ijesa achievers into the Obokungbusi Hall of Fame at Ilesa on Easter Sunday, April 6, 2026.

Among the five inductees was I. K. Dairo, the legendary juju music maestro who was honoured for the universality of his music, which brought honour and deep appreciation to Africa and Ijesaland.

Another inductee is Prince Abiodun Lufadeju, who wrote and composed the Ijesa Anthem.

The anthem, the Owa noted in his address, has gained widespread popularity among Ijesas at cultural events, and has become a great tribute to unity and cultural heritage of Ijesaland.

The other inductees were Dr. Lawrence Omole, who established the International Breweries, Imo, Ilesa; Pa Folorunso Awomolo, who, like Omole, single-handedly established the flourishing Imo Hills Farms that has generated great employment opportunities for Ijesa people.

Then, there was the Yeye Owa, Dame Eunice Olayinka Obaleye, a renowned industrialist and founder of Yinka Oba Foam, who the selection committee said “stands as the highest employer of labour in Ijesaland, the second highest in Osun State”.

So, it was a day of joy for everyone.

Owa Haastrup and his Oloris radiated profound joy.

The monarch is naturally soft spoken and calm.

But on Sunday, he lost his cool as he appraised recent security breaches in his domain.

He observed with sadness that three Ijesa sons had been killed by  political thugs within three weeks, wondering how many more would be murdered before the off-cycle governorship poll to be held on August 8, 2026.Politics

Haastrup, a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, said it was abominable for politicians to keep their children abroad and be slaughtering his people like chickens.

Turning attention to party leaders, the monarch declared: “Ijesas are not chicken!

“Within three weeks, politicians have killed three Ijesas, all for political power.

“And we still have another five months to go for this election.

“If you killed three people within three weeks, how many would you kill by August (five months’ time)?

“Why will you turn Nigeria back to the barbaric age of the 1960s?”

The capacity crowd at the Obokungbusi Town Hall, venue of the event, which included the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, applauded.

Lowering his gaze, the Owa continued: “Your Excellency and other leaders, we will not allow for another Ijesa to be gunned down by cruel people.

“We will not allow anybody, because they are top politicians, because of their lust for power, to kill any Ijesa again.”

Haastrup stressed that a major plank of his mandate as the paramount ruler of Ijesaland was the maintenance of peace and stability in the land, as well as the protection of the lives and properties of his people.

Though he said he would let the referenced ugly event go, he firmly warned: “(if) one more Ijesa (gets killed), I will mobilise Ijesa people.

“And such people will not enter Ijesaland again.

“So, whatever your position, where you are in exile, we shall see who will vote for you during the day of election.”

Again, the audience roared in agreement with their King.

Owa Haastrup was not done.

He appealed to all religious leaders: Christians, Muslim, and traditional religionists, to talk to their flock and teach the way of peace and love.

He urged them to “be preaching against killing for politics”.

He then switched to Yoruba language and placed a curse on any politician that would attempt to disrupt the peace of his Kingdom and jeopardise the security of his people in the name of politics.

“They say where there is no law, there is no offence,” the paramount ruler declared, adding: “Whoever tries it (political killing) again in Ijesaland, by the power of the crowned heads in Ijesaland, by the power of the God that I serve, wherever he may be hiding his children, whether Canada, whether America, whether London, the fire of God will consume them.”Politics

And the audience shouted a thunderous: “Amen.”

Watchers of events in Ijesaland are united in their belief that Owa Haastrup’s anger was justified.

In fact, earlier on Easter Sunday, the Palace had issued a statement decrying the spiralling incidents of hooliganism and lawlessness in the Kingdom, warning that the situation, if not nipped in the bud, could threaten the peace, tranquility and stability that Ijesaland is known for.

In the statement issued by the Chief of Staff to the Owa Obokun, Lady Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, the palace roundly condemned the alleged involvement of an aspirant to the Owa Obokun stool whose activities, the statement maintained, was capable of triggering unrest.‎

Lady Ajayi-Gbadebo, in the statement, accused the aspirant of backing two individuals who had been previously stripped of their chieftaincy titles over alleged gross misconduct.

The Palace noted that one of the individuals had a controversial past, including allegedly committing criminal activities abroad, while also being divested of his title in Ijesaland for related offences.‎

The palace further alleged that despite ongoing proceedings at the Osun State High Court of Justice, the individual had reportedly broken into a traditional chieftaincy house on two occasions within a short period.‎

The latest incident, according to the statement, occurred on Easter Monday, April 6, 2026, when the suspect allegedly vandalised the main entrance of the chieftaincy house to gain unauthorised access.

The Palace also raised concerns about a second individual, who reportedly had past encounters with law enforcement over allegations of transformer theft.

It alleged that the aspirant maintains close ties with both individuals, a situation it described as troubling.‎

It warned that the actions of the individuals involved could disrupt the peace of Ijesaland if not urgently addressed.

It called on relevant law enforcement agencies to intervene promptly to prevent escalation into violence.‎

The Palace advised whoever has any grievance arising from the emergence of Haastrup as the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland should seek legal redress rather than resorting to self-help.

It reiterated that the rule of law must prevail, urging all parties to seek legal redress rather than resorting to actions that could undermine the longstanding peace and unity of the kingdom.