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.

AGILE Programme     Centre For Peace And Strategic Studies     Raymond Olaitan     Young Progressives Party     Shonga Farm Project     Omar Gambari     Yeketi     Ope Saraki     Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa     Rotimi Atere     Issa Oloruntogun     Hamidu Olowo     Abdulmajeed Abdullahi     Wahab Abayawo     Hijab     Bola Magaji     Al-Hikmah University     Transition Implementation Committee     Abdulquawiy Olododo     Rapheal Ashaolu     General Hospital, Offa     Special Agro-Industrial Hub     Justina Oha     Popo-Igbonna     Abdullahi Atanda     Sulaiman Gado     Kunle Okeowo     Col. Adedipe     Otunba Taiwo Joseph     Okanlawon Taiwo     Adamu Ibrahim Sabi     V.O. Abioye     Owo Isowo     Pilgrims Board     Demola Banu     Adedeji Onimago     LAK Jimoh     Adebayo Salami     Emir Of Lafiagi     Durosinlohun Atiku     Onikijipa     Gambari     Muhammed Akanbi     Bello Bature     2017 Budget     Mahmud Ayinla Giwa     Opolo Global Innovation Limited     Jamiu Oyawoye     ARMTI     Arinola Lawal     KW-GIS     Inside Kwara     Ibrahim Taiwo Road     Suleiman Mora Omar     Jalala     AGM Professional Services     Mope Dasuki Belgore     Kwara State Internal Revenue Service     Chief Imam Of Offa     Theophilus Oyebiyi     Valsolar     Aminat Omodara     Nurudeen Mohammed     Kumbi Titilope     Kayode Ishola     Sunset Workers     Yusuf Ali     Abdulmutalib Shittu     Funmilayo Oniwa     Share/Tsaragi     Yusuf Mubarak     Abdulrazak Shehu Akorede     Sheriff Shagaya     Ajakaye     Ibikunle Ogunleye     Neuropsychiatric Hospital     Kwara Liberation Group    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

KW-GIS     Adamu Jemilat-Baki     James Ayeni     Abdullahi Saadudeen Alikinla     Ilorin Amusement Park     Folashade Omoniyi     Jelili Yusuf     LEAH Charity Foundation     Diagnostic Centre     Abraysports FC     Yekeen Alabi     Amuda Musbau     Offa Descendants Union     Ibrahim Agboola Gambari     Hamza Usman     Igbaja     John Kehinde Salako     Oke-Kura     Sulyman Age AbdulKareem     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Temitope Ogunbanke     Ilesha-Gwanara     Jimoh Olusola Imam     Baba-Isale     Tinubu Legacy Forum     Issa Oloruntogun     Damilola Yusuf Adelodun     Ubandoma     International Aviation College     Muhammadu Buhari     Amosa     AbdulRazaq AbduMajeed Alaro     Ayodele Kuburat Olaosebikan     Elerin Of Adanla     Ayobami Akanbi     Park     New Naira Notes     Abdulhakeem Amao     TESCOM 2025     Zainab Abass     Moronfoye     Ile Arugbo     JSSCE     Solomon Edojah     Yusuf Mubarak     John Mayokun Dada     Madawaki     George Innih     Akande Idowu Ayoola Muhammed     Shuaib Abdulkadir     Amina El-Imam     Apata Ajele Secondary School     Olomu     Kisira     Aliyu Adebayo     Lanre Badmus     Dumagi     Muazam Nayaya     Taofik Abdulkareem Babaita     Saka Onimago     Abdulfatai Baakini     Folajimi Aleshinloye     Dagbalodo     Maigidasanma     Marafan Shonga     Saliu Oluwole     Taofik Abdulkareem     Peter Amogbonjaye     Abdullahi Dasilva Yussuf     Kwara State Fish Farmers Association     Mustapha AbdulGaniyu     Rebecca Olanrewaju     Toyin Falola     Gbemisola Oguntimehin     Garba Dogo     Zubair Folorunsho Erubu     A.O. Belgore