Tension flared in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, as residents, led by two traditional masquerades, protested against the sudden reclassification of their electricity billing from Band C to Band A. The protesters, mostly youths, gathered at Bareke Roundabout, chanting and waving placards with messages like "Omu-Aran says no to Band A" and "Bring us back to Band C". The demonstration was sparked by the sharp rise in electricity bills received in March 2025, with some residents reportedly charged between N41,000 and N47,000, compared to previous rates of N10,000 to N15,000.
Residents argue that the decision to reclassify their electricity billing was imposed without proper consultation and does not reflect the quality or consistency of power supply to the area. According to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Band A customers are entitled to a minimum of 20 hours of power supply daily and are billed at N209 per kilowatt-hour. However, protesters insist that Omu-Aran does not receive the promised 20 hours of electricity and therefore should not be billed at the Band A rate.
The protesters demand an immediate return to Band C, suspension of current Band A charges, replacement of faulty transformers, and a review of billing practices to reflect prior rates. The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, has appealed for calm and assured the community that leaders are engaging with IBEDC officials to resolve the issue.
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