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KWARA, Nigeria - Youth in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Council of Kwara State, staged a protest over what they termed “exorbitant billing” by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) after the community’s electricity billing classification was suddenly changed from Band C to Bands B and A.
The demonstration, led by two masquerades, involved residents carrying placards and blocking significant streets in the town, including the Olomu and Latinwo Market areas, the Olomu palace, and the IBEDC office at the Omu-Aran City Complex.
Protesters claimed that the change to Band A was responsible for a significant increase in their electricity costs for March 2025, with some residents facing bills ranging from N41,000 to N47,000, as opposed to the earlier rates of N10,000 to N15,000.
They also obstructed the Omu-Aran-Kabba and Omu-Aran-Otun-Ekiti highways, causing traffic disruptions for hours. The protesters vowed to persist in their demonstration until IBEDC and local leaders address their concerns.
In a joint statement, President of the Omu-Aran Development Association, Niyi Adeyeye, and Elder Ranti Adebayo outlined the demands of the protesters.
These demands include replacing faulty transformers affecting power supply in parts of the community, reverting the Band A classification to Band C, suspending current Band A charges, reviewing the billing system to reflect earlier rates, and conducting an independent assessment of IBEDC's service delivery in the town.
They also refused the presence of police and other security personnel, maintaining that their protest would remain non-violent.
Receiving the protesters at his palace, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, urged for calm and assured them that local leaders were in discussions with IBEDC officials to address the issue.
When reached for comment, the Omu-Aran Business Manager of IBEDC, A. O. Badmus, declined to speak, directing inquiries to the company’s Kwara State Communication Officer, Gbenga Ajiboye. Ajiboye clarified that electricity regulation is under the authority of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
He mentioned that customers receiving up to 20 hours of electricity daily are categorized under Band A, which currently includes the Omu-Aran community.
He characterized the situation as a business issue between service providers and consumers, adding that high-level discussions are in progress to resolve the disagreement.
