In a rare and symbolic twist, two masquerades led hundreds of youths in Omu-Aran, Irepodun LGA of Kwara State, on a peaceful protest on Friday against the sudden change of the community’s electricity billing from Band C to Band A.
🪧 Protest Highlights:
- The protest began around 8 a.m. at Bareke Roundabout, with youths carrying placards saying:
- “IBEDC Mr Badmus Must Go”
- “Revert Omu-Aran to Band C”
- “From N10,000 to N47,000? Why?”
- Bills reportedly increased from N10k–N15k to as high as N47k for March.
- Protesters blocked highways, including the Omu-Aran–Kabba and Omu-Aran–Otun-Ekiti roads, disrupting vehicular movement.
🗣️ Community Demands:
- Immediate reversion to Band C billing.
- Non-replacement of faulty transformers to be addressed.
- End to overdraft purchases on pre-paid meters.
- Consumers to stop funding repairs or purchasing faulty electricity materials.
- Independent review of IBEDC service delivery and tariff classification.
👑 Traditional Intervention: The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti, received the protesters and appealed for calm, assuring them that discussions are ongoing with IBEDC officials.
📢 IBEDC Response:
- Local Manager Mr. A.O. Badmus declined to comment.
- IBEDC Kwara spokesperson, Mr. Gbenga Ajiboye, clarified that:
- The billing structure is regulated by NERC.
- Omu-Aran was placed in Band A due to its 20-hour daily electricity supply (a claim locals dispute).
- Talks are ongoing for an amicable solution.
