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.
Fatai Adeniyi Garba Gwanara Issa Oloruntogun Code Of Conduct SWAN New Nigeria People’s Party Laduba Jawondo Clement Yomi Adeboye Fatimat Saliu Iqra Books Amuda Musbau Ayobola Ipinlaiye Rabiu Kwankwaso Obayomi Azeez Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria Folashade Omoniyi Babajide Ajayi Opobiyi Elese Of Igbaja Moronfoye Busari Toyin Isiaka Abdulkadir Akanbi-Oke Sola Saraki University Okanlawon Musa Kayode Ogunlowo Buhari Bamidele Adegoke Raliat Islamic Foundation Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission Opaleke Bukola Iyabo Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu Seni Saraki Olohungbebe Hussein Oloyede Alliance For Democracy Kuliyan Geri Earlyon Technologies Adesoye College Forgo Battery Talaka Parapo Maimunat Oloriegbe Kwara State Football Association KwaraLearn Suleman Abubakar Ilorin Talaka Parapo (ITP) Salake Abdulrauf Yusuf CELF Muhammed Abdullahi Suleiman Alege Kuranga Dele Belgore Mazars Consulting Lateef Fagbemi Haliru Yahaya Aisha Ahman Pategi Taofeek Sanusi Garba Idris Ajia Ohoro Of Shao Ajidagba Jelili Yusuf Abdulkadir Jimoh Bello Oyebanji Mohammed Alabi Lawal Alabi Lawal Umar Bayo Abdulwahab KFA Akume Turaki Of Ilorin Mohammed Abdulahi Abdulganiyu Oladosu Tunji Oyawoye Salary Ibrahim Abiodun George Innih Salaudeen Oyewale Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency

