- Protest Reason: The protest was over outrageous electricity bills and the sudden shift from Band C to Band A billing regime by IBEDC.
- Protesters’ Demands: The protesters demanded reversion to Band C billing, replacement of faulty transformers, improvement of electricity supply, and an independent review of IBEDC’s service delivery.
- Bill Increase: The protesters alleged that the new billing regime resulted in bills ranging from N41,000 to N47,000, a significant increase from the previous N10,000 to N15,000.
- Peaceful Protest: The protest was peaceful and led by masquerades, with protesters carrying placards and singing war songs.
- Community Leader Intervention: The Olomu of Omu-Aran intervened, appealing for calm and assuring the youths that community leaders are in talks with IBEDC officials to address the issues.
Hundreds of youths in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria, staged a unique protest led by masquerades to express their dissatisfaction with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over outrageous electricity bills and the sudden shift from Band C to Band A billing regime.
The protesters, who were peaceful, carried placards with inscriptions such as “IBEDC Mr Badmus Must Go” and “Omu-Aran Say No to Band A,” while dancing and singing war songs. They alleged that the new billing regime resulted in bills ranging from N41,000 to N47,000, a significant increase from the previous N10,000 to N15,000.
The protesters demanded that IBEDC revert to the previous billing regime, replace faulty transformers, and improve electricity supply. They also called for an independent review of IBEDC’s service delivery in Omu-Aran and for the company to stop overdraft purchases on pre-paid meters.
The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti, intervened, appealing for calm and assuring the youths that community leaders are in talks with IBEDC officials to address the issues. The IBEDC Kwara State Communication Officer, Mr. Gbenga Ajiboye, stated that electricity regulation is the responsibility of the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC), adding that discussions are ongoing to resolve the issue amicably.
