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.
Harrison Osauwagboe Olusola Saraki Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf Radio Kwara Okin High School Ayinde Oyepitan Jimoh Saadudeen Muhammed Yusuf Ibitokun Sherifat Amos Sayo Dele Belgore Oluranti Idowu Photo News Ibrahim Agboola Gambari Azeez Salawu Salmon Babatunde Salmon Sheu Ndanusa Usman Onilorin Of Ilorin Toyin Olayinka Tejidini NIRSAL Wahab Kunle Shittu Donatus Ejidike Saliu Ajia Kunbi Titiloye Isiaka Alikinla Roseline Oni Aremu Matthew Okedare Ile Arugbo Simeon Sayomi N-Power VADA Igbomina Yusuf A. Usman Florence Saraki Sa\'adatu Modibbo-Kawu Kayode Laro Suleiman Mora Omar CCEPE Ariyo Baboko Primary School Akorede Moses Salami Coalition Of Kwara North Groups Kumbi Titilope Olusegun Adeniyi Christian Association Of Nigeria Olatunde Olukoya Kanu Agabi Aliyu Sabi Garba Idris Ajia Kale Kawu Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede Olumide Daniel Ibitoye Saka Onimago Olawuyi Alagbado SDP Olaiya Lawal Jaigbade Alao Minister HICA Sheriff Shagaya Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh Oko-Olowo Adebayo Salami Shuaib Olarongbe T And K FOODS Salihu Alhaji Musa Moses Adekanye International Aviation College United Nigeria Airline Zubair Folorunsho Erubu Olohungbebe Mahfouz Adedimeji Yetunde Balogun Sadiq Umar Kwara State Fire Service ITEM 7

