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.

Taofik Mustapha     Kola Olota     Lukman Oyebanji Fagbemi     Lawal Olohungbebe     Abdulraheem Olesin     Harafat E. Mukadam     SGBN     Kannike     Coalition Of Kwara North Groups     Oko Erin     JAMB     Senate President     Bisi Kristien     Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola     Mustapha AbdulGaniyu     March 18     Nigerian Correctional Service     Bayo Mohammed Onimode     Christian Association Of Nigeria     Ronke Adeyemi     Bello Oyedepo     Patigi Regatta     David Oyedepo     Salihu Alhaji Musa     Government High School (GHS), Adeta     Ghali Muhammed     SWAN     Afolabi-Oshatimehin Adenike Harriet     Kwara Teaching Service Commission     Buari Edun     Yoruba     Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants     Igbaja     Abubakar Lah     Bluenile Associates     M.Y. Abdulrahaman     Yahya Mohammed     Guber Aspirant     Joseph Bamigboye     Jumoke F. Ajao     Ibrahim Abduquadri Abikan     Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye     Osinbajo     Kayode Alabi     Suraj Tunji Oyewale     National Information Technology Development Agency     Simon Sayomi     Ilofa     Doyin Awoyale     Saeedat Aliyu     Alimi     KWIRS     Marufat Oladosu     Balogun Gambari     Saka Onimago     Adedayo Yusuf Abdulkareem     Jaigbade Alao     Alabe     Awodun     Bello Bature     Akanbi-Oke     Muhammed Abdullahi     Mahmud Durosinlohun Atiku     Ifelodun     Agboola Babatunde     Okanlawon Taiwo     Doyin Agbamu     General Hospital, Ilorin     Najim Yaasin     Amuda Aluko     Bola Ahmed Tinubu     Umar Gunu     Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq     Tunde Saad     Yekini Adio     Yemi Osinbajo     IF-K    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Sam Onile     Niyi Ogundiran     Mohammed Ghali Alaaya     Dele Belgore     Ajibola Saliu Ajia     Muslim Stakeholders Of Kwara State     Quranic Recitation Competition     Goodluck Jonathan     Moses Salami     Lukman Oyebanji Fagbemi     Ojo Fadumila     Yusuf Abdulkadir     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Muslim Cementary     Olokoba Sulyman     Wahab Issa     Tunde Kazeem     Kwara State University Of Education     Zulkifli Ibraheem     Abiodun Oyedepo     Bank Of Industry     Mamatu Abdullahi     Taofik Abdulkareem     James Kolo     Shagari     KWAFFA     Shururat Olatinwo     Muhammad Akande Olarewaju Odunade     Nigerian Army     Ubandawaki     Adegoke Bamidele     Amuda Aluko     Yahaya Muhammad     Ayinde Oki     Amoyo     Okin Biscuits     Najim Yaasin     Abdulwahab Ololele     Lola Olabayo     Bayo Lawal     Hausa     Senior Staff Union Of Colleges Of Education     Abdulrasheed Lafia     Yinka Aluko     Funmi Salau     Balikis Jawondo     Sulu Gambari     Alfa Yahaya Road     Illyasu Abdullahi     FOMWAN     Florence Saraki     NULGE     Akanji     Kayode Ogunlowo     Madawaki     Idris Garuba     Segun Ogunsola     Shehu Salau     Igbaja     Ajuloopin     Orire     Neo Mundo Ltd     Damilola Yusuf     National Pilot     Oke-Ero     Ojuekun Sarumi     Aliyu Umar     CCT     Tunji Arosanyin     Tafida Of Ilorin     Ileloke     Siddiq Adebayo Idowu Salawu     Isaac Gbenle     Issa Manzuma     IsDB     Bello Abubakar     Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji