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.
Prince Bola Ajibola Bashir Adigun Ramat Oganija Henry Olaosebikan NFAI Moshood Bakare Idi-Ape Ile Arugbo KWSUED Malete Aminat Omodara Ayobola Ipinlaiye Olomu Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin Kwara 2023 Akanji Omar Bolaji Gambari Alimi Abdulrazaq Makama Of Kaiama JAAC Kwara State Health Insurance Agency Kaiama Shehu Salau NIPR Saheed Akinwumi Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency Roheemat Hammed Sa\'ad Alanamu Ita-Ore Gbenga Olawepo Oniwasi Agbaye Cassava Growers\' Association Rex Olawoye Millennium Development Goals Government House Ashiru Joseph Daudu Bayo Ojo Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants Sulu Babaita Isiaka Standard Organization Of Nigeria Mubarak Oladosu Hajj Shaykh Luqman Jimoh Abdulrasaq Alaro Abdulrasheed Akogun Aliyu Kora-Sabi Grillo Quareeb Local Government Pension Board Tope Daramola Musa Abdullahi Tanke Flyover Bridge Taofeek Ibraheem Olufolake Abdulrazaq Rafiu Ajakaye Abdulwaheed Musa Suleiman Abubakar Gobir Dankaka Ibrahim Taiwo New Model Police Station Ilorin South Abdulfatai Ahmed Aasiyat Bello Oyedepo Ayekale Wahab Issa Face Masks Ghali Muhammed Timothy Olatunde Fadipe Abubakar Olusola Saraki Ishola Abdullahi Sai Kayi Mahee Abdulkadir Kwara 2015 Bisi Kristien Abatemi-Usman

