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 North Sarakite ARMTI Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning And Empowerment Kale Belgore Obasanjo Oniyangi Oloruntoyosi Thomas Roseline Oni Aremu Aishat Mohammed Lawal Mohammed Khadijat Kubura Razaq Atunwa Iqra Books Gbemisola Oguntimehin Manzuma Lukman Oyebanji Fagbemi Haashim Initiative For Community Advancement Oke Sunna Bola Tinubu Atiku Abubakar AGILE Programme Orisa Bridge Pilgrims Board James Ayeni Ubandawaki Kwara State Fire Service Okoolowo Oni Adebayo Senate Presidency Ayinde Oki Femi Oladiji Al-Adaby Just Event Online Adesoye Olusola Saraki Abdulrasaq Alaro SAPZ Project Oke-Odo Savannah Centre For Diplomacy, Democracy And Development Gbemisola Saraki Jani Ibrahim Alore Lasiele Alabi Yahaya Summit University Raliat AbdulRazaq Kwara State Printing And Publishing Corporation Omoniyi Ayinla Ilorin Emirate Ilorin Like-Minds Labour Party Marafan Shonga Maja Rashidi Yekini Ilorin Emirate Staff Association Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu Biliaminu Aliu Saba Mamman Daniel Sabitiyu Grillo Jebba Bibire Ajape Lanre Issa-Onilu Wasiu Onidugbe Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria Neo Mundo Ltd Khairat Gwadabe Christopher Tunji Ayeni Kwara State Pension Board Iyabo Adisa Ibiyeye Shoprite Shururat Olatinwo Yahaya Abdulkareem Mohammed Danjuma Otunba Taiwo Joseph Abdulazeez Uthman Asa LGEA School Jimoh Olusola Imam Ayobami Akanbi

