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.
Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations Orisun Igbomina Sodiya Medview Airlines Bature Bello Shonga Ogbondoroko Akanji Ike Ekweremadu Awoye Tsaragi-Share Kwara Hotel Ajuloopin ITEM 7 Folashade Omoniyi Ibrahim Oloriegbe Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu Aro Yahaya Photo News Emmanuel Bello Sa\'adu Salau NURTW David Oyedepo Jeunkunu-Malete-Bani Malete Olatunji Ayeni Mahmud Ayinla Giwa Shade Omoniyi ASMAU PLAZA Idiagbon Cassava Growers\' Association Alimi Abdulrazaq KWIRS Ishak Mohammed Sabi Kunle Akogun Shuaib Jawondo Yahaya Muhammad Tsado Manman Standard Organization Of Nigeria Offa Grammer School Alagbado Sa\'ad Alanamu Ajikobi Kayode Ogunlowo Odo-Owa Abdulrahman Onikijipa Magaji Erubu KWATMA Amada Jidda Saka Asiat Ayinke Razak Atunwa CACOVID Palliatives CBT Shettima Of Ilorin Sardauna Iponrin Musa Aibinu Hamidu Olowo Wahab Issa Khadijat Ayoola Yusuf GRA Nigeria Customs Service PAACO-PCL Consortium Okala Baba Chief Imam Of Offa Ayekale Mumini Ishola Hanafi Oniyangi Kunle Sulaiman Ahmed Bayero Olatomiwa Williams Ilorin Durbar Bilikis Oladimeji Olokoba Abdullahi Ayinla Aliyu Muyideen Abdulwaheed Musa Alapado Akeem Lawal

