The Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, has broken his silence over his absence during a recent campaign visit to his palace by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

In a sharp reaction that has intensified political tensions ahead of the August 15 governorship election, the monarch declared that he had no blessings for the opposition party, stating he would have instead invoked a royal curse on its members.

The monarch’s absence during the APC delegation`s visit last Tuesday triggered a fierce social media debate. APC supporters accused the traditional ruler of deliberately boycotting the opposition because the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke—who is seeking re-election under the Accord party platform—is an indigene of Ede.

However, speaking on Tuesday during an Accord campaign rally in Ede, Oba Lawal dismissed claims that he fled the palace. The first-class monarch revealed he was actually waiting to confront the APC team over a controversial campaign slogan used by its supporters.

According to a video circulated by Arise TV, the monarch, speaking in Yoruba, directly linked his anger to the slogan "E Pana Ede, E Tan Ti Ikire" (meaning "Turn off Ede’s light, turn on Ikire’s light"). The phrase targets Governor Adeleke’s hometown of Ede in favor of Oyebamiji’s native home, Ikire.

"There is a rumour that I left the palace on the day the APC people came to visit me," Oba Lawal said. "I was actually waiting for the day they would come so I could ask them why they said `Off Ede Light.` What do they expect from me? It would have been a curse."

Before the monarch`s public outburst, attempts had been made to downplay the incident. Alhaji Gbedebo Ajao, a member of the Osun State APC Elders Caucus, had previously stated that the traditional ruler’s absence was strictly non-political.

Ajao explained that Oba Lawal and other members of the Ede/Egbedore Traditional Council had traveled to Ile-Ife to commiserate with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the demise of his elder brother. Ajao noted that the APC had fact-checked the trip and was even looking to secure a new date for the palace visit.

Despite the official excuse, APC loyalists have continued to criticize the monarch for failing to maintain a neutral, fatherly role.

Social media commentator Awwal Tunde Alawo pointed out that this was the second time opposition groups faced a cold reception in Ede, alleging that the palace gates were similarly shut against the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam, two weeks ago. Critics argue that while Governor Adeleke enjoys warm receptions from traditional rulers across Osun State, Oba Lawal has failed to extend the same courtesy to rival candidates.

With the governorship election less than three weeks away, the royal standoff has further polarized voters in what is shaping up to be a highly combustible electoral contest.