Omu-Aran Residents Protest Electricity Bill Hikes Amid IBEDC's Billing Reclassification
Youths in Omu-Aran, under Irepodun Local Council in Kwara State, held a protest over the weekend against what they termed "outrageous billing" by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). The demonstration followed a sudden reclassification of the community's electricity billing from Band C to Bands B and A.
The protest, led by two traditional masquerades, saw residents blocking major streets - including Olomu and Latinwo Market areas, the Olomu palace, and the IBEDC office at Omu-Aran City Complex - with placards and barricades. Protesters claimed the shift to Band A caused a sharp spike in March 2025 electricity bills, with some residents reportedly charged between N41,000 and N47,000, compared to previous rates of N10,000 to N15,000.
Demonstrators also blocked the Omu-Aran-Kabba and Omu-Aran-Otun-Ekiti highways, disrupting traffic for hours. They vowed to continue the protest until IBEDC and local leaders address their demands.
In a joint statement, Mr Niyi Adeyeye (President of Omu-Aran Development Association) and Elder Ranti Adebayo outlined the protesters' demands:
Replacement of faulty transformers affecting power supply.
Reversal of the Band A classification back to Band C.
Suspension of current Band A charges.
A review of billing practices to reflect prior rates.
An independent audit of IBEDC's service delivery in the town.
They also rejected the presence of police and other security escorts, insisting the protest would remain peaceful.
Receiving the protesters at his palace, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, appealed for calm and assured them that community leaders were engaging with IBEDC officials to resolve the issue.
When contacted, the Omu-Aran Business Manager of IBEDC, Mr A. O. Badmus, declined comment, directing inquiries to the company's Kwara State Communication Officer, Mr Gbenga Ajiboye.
Ajiboye explained that electricity regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
He noted that customers receiving up to 20 hours of power daily are categorised under Band A, which currently includes the Omu-Aran community. He described the situation as a business matter between service providers and consumers, adding that high-level discussions were ongoing to resolve the dispute.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Makama Of Ilorin Alfa Belgore Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf Adedipe Shonga Farm Project Coalition Of Kwara North Groups Kuliyan Geri Oloyede KWASSIP Umar Bayo Abdulwahab Undergraduate Bursary Samuel Adaramola Omu-aran Okin High School Maryam A. Garuba Raji Ayodele Kamaldeen Aisha Ahman Pategi Muyideen Ajani Bello Ajeigbe Aminu Ado Bayero Ayodele Olaosebikan Isiaka Yusuf Amusement Park Kupchi Hosea Maxwell Shao ARMTI KWASIEC Tricycle Owners Association Of Nigeria Olatunde Oyeyiola Offa Poly Mukhtar Shagaya Grillo Bilikisu Oniyangi Akanbi-Oke Tinubu Raheem Adaramaja Yekini Adio AbdulHamid Adi Olayinka Jelili Yusuf National Broadcasting Commission Umar Yakubu Jaja Kwara 2019 Senior Special Assistant On Student Affairs Kulende-UITH Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa Buari Edun Isiaka Danmeromu James Kolo Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye Adama Isa KWASEIC Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union Bature Bello Mamatu Abdullahi Yaman Adaramaja Oba-Solagberu Muhammad Yahya Usman Rifun Kwara State Health Insurance Agency Tope Daramola Bamidele Aluko Funmilayo Isiaka Oniwa HYPPADEC Overland Age AbdulKareem Kwara Apc TVC Female National Debate Abdulmumini Jawondo Ali Ahmad Tuesday Assayomo Abubakar Abdullahi Bata Face Masks Ilofa Sheikh Alimi Ben Duntoye Baba-Isale

