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.
COVID Salihu Jibril Garbi Raji AbdulRasaq Umar Gunu Wahab Isa Arinola Fatimoh Lawal Apaola Yemi Osinbajo Yakubu Dogara Risikat Lawal Bolakale Saka Yoonus Kola Olatinwo Jawondo Ilorin Airport Binta Abubakar Mora Tsaragi-Share Ballah Muhammed Taofeeq Abdulrazaq Eleja Taiwo Banu Omu Aran Kunbi Titiloye Doyin Awoyale Tunji Olawuyi Kwara Asa Mohammed Haruna Ita-Ore Bolakale Ayo Admiralty Villa Onilu AGM Professional Services Babs Iwarere Dauda Adesola Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory Ilorin South Council Of The Wise Sheu Ndanusa Usman JSSCE Oba Abdulkadir La\'aro Soffiyyallah Kamaldeen KWSUED Abubakar Ndakene All Confederation Of Principals Of Secondary Schools Abraham Ojo Sheriff Shagaya Standard Organization Of Nigeria Wahab Egbewole Mutawali Radio Kwara Khairat Gwadabe Mohammed Alabi Lawal Sola Saraki Educational Foundation Baaziki Sulaiman A.E. Afolabi Abubakar Baba Boko Haram Ibrahim Oniye Ajasse-Ipo Women Radio Afolabi-Oshatimehin Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence Shao Oloye Saudat Abdulbaqi Wale Oladepo Hijaab C2c@kwarastate.gov.ng Suleiman Mora Omar Al-Ilory Kola Adesina Bank Of Industry Roseline Oni Aremu GANZY Alabi Lawal Akeem Olatunji Christian Association Of Nigeria Moro