The Omu-Aran community in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State confronted IBEDC with two masquerades because of excessive electricity charges and the unexpected Band A reassignment from Band C category.
The demonstrators assembled at Bareke Roundabout while displaying banners marked with different messages and performing chants as protest songs. The community members carried placards demanding to return to Band C service and stating “Omu-Aran says no to Band A” and “Bring us back to Band C” while asking for a reversion to Band C service.
The residents accused the reclassification of Band C to Band A status by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company which caused their electricity bills for March 2025 to skyrocket to N41,000 to N47,000 though their normal bill range had been N10,000 to N15,000.
The protesters led demonstrations throughout Olomu market and Latinwo market and the Olomu palace as well as the IBEDC office facility in Omu-Aran City Complex.
Traffic congestion created a problem for travellers when the protesters used their vehicles to block two main state highways between Omu-Aran and Kabba as well as Omu-Aran and Otun Ekiti.
The demonstrations would persist indefinitely until the demonstrators received all their requested changes.
The Omu-Aran Development Association president Niyi Adeyeye together with Elder Ranti Adebayo co-signed this document outlining their list of requirements.
The protesters requested the installment of new transformers as well as the return to Band C from Band A combined with improved energy supply and a stop to Band A billing and a comprehensive cost evaluation.
Amongst their requests the residents demand assessments of IBEDC’s service operations and prohibition against overdraft meter payments and demands residents stop paying for faulty electrical repair materials. They also pursue an independent evaluation of IBEDC’s local performance.
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The problems with the power supply predated the recent adjustment of billing rates yet they have caused a deterioration in local electricity supply.
The protesters denied access to police and security personnel but they promised the conduct of their demonstration would stay peaceful.
The town’s prime monarch Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti accepted the protesters at his royal palace to request peace.
The local leaders were holding talks with IBEDC representatives while he asked young people to let the dialogue continue without interruption.
A. O. Badmus who serves as Omu-Aran business manager for IBEDC refused to address inquiries and sent requests to Gbenga Ajiboye who operates as the Kwara State Communication Officer for the firm.
The regulatory authority for electricity belongs to an independent commission called the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as stated by Ajiboye.
As per NERC guidelines Omu-Aran along with other communities that receive at least 20 hours of daily power belong to Band A classification.
The issue represents a commercial dispute between suppliers and customers according to him while he stated talks were happening to find a peaceful resolution.
