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.
V.O. Abioye Wahab Isa Abraham Ojo Kazeem Oladepo Yahaya A Paniyaro Baba Isale Obasanjo Vasolar Consultoria NaAllah Timothy Olatunde Fadipe Sobi FM Ibrahim Issa Jetti Abubakar Imam Ganiyu Abolarin Abdulbaqi Jimoh Muhammed Akanbi Harmony Holdings Valsolar-Kwara Company Limited Olokoba Sulyman Iyabo Adewuyi Amoyo Abdulmumini Jawondo Toyosi Thomas Babatunde Idiagbon Suraj Tunji Oyewale Offa Poly Tafidan Kaiama Ridwan Agboola M.Y. Abdulrahaman Sheikh Alimi Kayode Laro Abdulhakeem Adelaja Amao AGF Abdulrazaq Col. Taiwo Moses Afolayan Patience Jonathan Tsaragi/Share Fareedah Dankaka Tinubu Legacy Forum Ibrahim Abduquadri Abikan Muhammadu Buhari AbdulHakeem Ajibola Akanbi Abdulwaheed Musa Titus Suberu-Ajibola Shade Omoniyi Tunde Akanbi Abubakar Atiku Olugbense Muyideen Ajani Bello Omotoso Musa Olokoba Abdullahi Ayinla Oko Council Of The Wise Aishat Sulu-Gambari Alao Ayotunde Isiaka AbdulRazaq Tunji Ajanaku Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan Garment Factory Ilorin Curfew Joseph Offorjama Ilorin Water Reticulation Kwara State Fish Farmers Association Gwanara Goodluck Jonathan Yahaya Jibril Usman Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye College Of Education Kayode Zubair Sola Saraki Educational Foundation IQRA College Aliyu Salihu Kwara State Fire Service Dele Momodu Volunteers Of Ilorin Community And The Emirate NITDA Adedayo Yusuf Abdulkareem

