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.
Kwara TV Isiaka Yusuf Hakeem Idris Owode Market Shuaibu Yaman Oniyangi Kunle Sulaiman Tafida Of Kaiama Vishvas KOZ Tractors Yakubu Shaaba Bello Bature Muhammad Fawaz Abubakar Yunus Lawal Turaki Of Ilorin Dunmade Salami Adekunle Funmilayo Isiaka Oniwa Shade Omoniyi AGILE Programme Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu Hameed Oladipupo Ali Jebba LABTOP Sa\'adu Gambari Gamji Members Association Ahmad Olayiwola Kamaldeen Ganmo Electricity Sub-Station Kazeem Gbolagade United Nigeria Airline Oke-opin Oyun Saba Jibril Iyeru Grammar School Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund Firdaos Amasa David Oyedepo Ajibola Saliu Ajia IDPU Alfa Belgore Sunday Popo-Ola Azeez Bello Imodoye Writer’s Enclave Chikanda Olusegun Adeniyi Yekeen Alabi Bolakale Kawu Agaka JAAC IPSAS Bisi Oyeleke Ibrahim Issa Jetti Fatimah Abdulkadir Rapheal Ashaolu Dele Momodu Vasolar Consultoria Jawondo JUSUN Code Of Conduct Bureau Ethical College TIC Ajasse-Ipo Saka Adeyemo Adedayo Yusuf Abdulkareem College Of Education V.O. Abioye Amule Elementary School Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi KwaraLearn LAK Jimoh Okala Baba Taiwo Joseph Kwara Teaching Service Commission Offa Salihu Alhaji Musa Moshood Bakare Aishat Sulu-Gambari John Kehinde Salako CBT Otunba Taiwo Joseph

