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.

Bello John Olanrewaju     Ajibola Saliu Ajia     Naira Redesign     Apado     David Adesina     Ajidagba     Boko Haram     Awili Pedro     Aiyedun     Saliu Ajibola Ajia     Salihu Alhaji Musa     Mansurat Amuda-Kannike     Okin Biscuit     Fatimah Abdulkadir     Cornelius Fawenu     Mutawali     Government House     Abdullateef Abdussalam     Musa Ayinla Yeketi     Aliyu Kora-Sabi     Olomu     Abraysports FC     Kanu Agabi     COVID-19 Palliatives     Onilu     Kayode Zubair     Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo     UTME     Aisha Ahman-Pategi     Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola     Pakata Patriots     Rasaq Jimoh     Kayode Ogunlowo     Kwara State Council Of Chiefs     Alikinla     Onilupeju Of Ilupeju     Elelu     Valsolar     Bola Sagaya     Ibrahim Sulu Gambari     Jalala     Ibrahim Taiwo Road     Senior Special Assistant On Student Affairs     IFK     Council Of The Wise     Segun Abifarin     Playing Host     Mutawalle     Ilorin Emirate     IDPU     Babajide Ajayi     AGM Professional Services     Aremu Odolaye     Lanre Issa-Onilu     Deji Ajani     Oyin-Zubair     Y.A. Abdulkareem     Abdulwasiu Bolaji Adeyi     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Lithium     Muyideen Ajani Bello     Centre For Digital Economy     Kubra Kazum     Folorunsho Erubu     Bureau Of Lands     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning And Empowerment     Apaola     Bolakale Kawu Agaka     Shola Odetundun     Olufolake Abdulrazaq     Ayinde Oki     AbdulRahman Saad     Is\'haq Modibbo Kawu     Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede     Junior Secondary School Certificate Examinations    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Galadiman Ngeri     Royal FM     Aliyu Alhassan     Dasuki Belgore     Kaiama     Lateef Alagbonsi     Kwara South     Opobiyi     Lawyers Unite Against Corruption     Abraysports FC     Magaji Erubu     CT Ayeni     Halimat Yusuf     Aishat Mohammed Lawal     Pakata Development Association     Ibrahim Jawondo     Kwara State Television     Raliat Elelu-Habeeb     Ramadan     International Vocational Centre     Lawal Arinola Kudirat     Saidu Yaro Musa     Bayo Ajia     Jimoh Olusola Imam     Abdulfatah Ahmed     Government House     Basit Olatunji     Sayomi     Saheed Akinwumi     Abdulraheem Olesin     Guber Aspirant     KWASIEC     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     LABTOP     Sola Saraki Educational Foundation     Ibrahim Abikan     Musibau Akanji     Plat Technologies Limited     Ojo Fadumila     Seun Bolaji     Majlis For Sadaqah, Zakat And Waqf     Habeeb Saidu     Abubakar Atiku     Olokoba     AbdulRazaq Abubakar Jiddah     Lafia Aliyu Korasabi     Najim Yaasin     Jeunkunu-Malete-Bani     Gabriel Fashanu     Ajia-Bako     Haliru Yahaya     Sulu Babaita Isiaka     Isiaka Rafiu Mope     Javed Khan     Christian Association Of Nigeria     Oke-Oyi     Funmilayo Zubair     Oye Tinuoye     Kale Kawu     Yusuf Mubarak     Haleeman Salman     Saliu Alamoyo     Saka Aleshinloye     Kwara State Government     Funmilayo Mohammed     General Hospital     Ayobola Ipinlaiye     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Amos Justus Sayo     Playing Host     Women Radio     Leke Ogungbe     Madawaki     Vishvas KOZ Tractors     SAPZ Project     Abdulwahab Olarewaju Issa     Atunwa