Omu-Aran Residents Protest Electricity Bill Hikes Amid IBEDC's Billing Reclassification

Date: 2025-04-13

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.

Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Abdulmumini AbdulRazaq     Michael Nzekwe     Umar Bayo Abdulwahab     Christopher Ayeni     Offa Metropolitan Club     Markaz Arabic And Islamic Training Institute, Agege     Amasa     Gbemisola Oguntimehin     Maryam Nurudeen     Sabi     Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji     Alore     Tinubu Legacy Forum     Lanwa     SSUCOEN     Muyiwa Oladipo Kanu     Kolade Solagberu     Paul Olawoore     Orire     Rotimi Atere     Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu     Raji Ayodele Kamaldeen     RTEAN     Ibrahim Akaje     Adeleke Ogungbe     Maigidasanma     Henry Makinwa     Adamu Attah     Muhammad-Mustapha Suleiman     Titus Suberu-Ajibola     Oba Abu     Oloruntoyosi Thomas     Kayode Oyin-Zubair     Mahmud Durosinlohun Atiku     Ayekale     Kubra Kazum     Aro Yahaya     Alliance For Democracy     A.O. Belgore     Sheu Ndanusa Usman     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Mumeen Lah     Yahaya A Paniyaro     Roseline Oni Aremu     Habeeb Saidu     Forgo Battery     Gbugbu International Market     Olatunde Jare     Usman Alkali Baba     Olabode George Towoju     Umar Yakubu Jaja     Abubakar Ndakene     Bureau Of Lands     Ilesha-Gwanara     Abubakar Baba     Makama Of Ilorin     Hakeem Idris     Toyin Sanusi     Shuaib Olarongbe     Yakubu Dogara     Muhammed Akanbi     Onilorin     Ayinke Saka     Balogun Gambari     Shero     Ahmad Ali     Moshood Mustapha     Oluwole Dupe     Apaokagi     Muslim Stakeholders Of Kwara State     Ijakadi     Awodun     Ibrahim Mohammed     Nurudeen Muhammed     Atunwa     Afolasade Opeyemi Kemi    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Bareke     Muhammed Mahe Abdulkadir     Titus Suberu-Ajibola     Bluenile Associates     Adesina Simon Sodiya     Sodiya     Tunji Arosanyin     Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu     Abdullahi Atanda     Issa Manzuma     Umar Danladi Shero     Twitter     Ajakaye     Ilorin Durbar     Saudat Abdulbaqi     Col. Taiwo     James Ayeni     Lawal Olohungbebe     Muhammad Yahya     Olatomiwa Williams     Samari     Code Of Conduct Bureau     Babajide Ajayi     Alanamu     Computer Based Test     Jimoh Akani     Sarakite     Borgu     Ahmed     Aishatu Ahmed Gobir     Garba Idris Ajia     Abdulrasaq Alaro     Malete     Makama Of Kaiama     Alfa Modibbo Belgore     Kolo     Joseph Yemi Ajayi     Emir Of Shonga     Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence     Majlis For Sadakah, Zakat And Waqf     Ejidongari     Tunde Akanbi     Abdulkadir Bolakale Sakariyah     Shehu Adaramaja     Aliyu Alhassan     Moses Salami     Sanitation Exercise     Adedeji Onimago     Islamic Development Bank     Jumoke F. Ajao     Salihu Jibril Garbi     Isin     Lanre Jimoh     Saad Belgore     Yakubu Dogara     Suleiman Mora Omar     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport     Bamidele Adegoke     Abiodun Musa Aibinu     Sa\'adu Gambari     Ilorin Like-Minds     Tuesday Assayomo     Olawuyi     Ajuloopin     Danhawa     Alabi Lawal     Oniyangi     Obuh     Kwara South     Salami Adekunle     Oya State     Presidential Election     Oke-Ogun     Read With Me     Afonja     Valsolar     Federal Allocation