On Friday, youths in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, led by two masquerades, protested against what they called outrageous billing and the sudden movement of the community’s electricity billing regime from Band C to Band A. The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as "Omu-Aran Says No to Band A," "Bring Back to Band C," and "Revert Omu-Aran to Band C," believing that the billing change caused the high bills for March 2025, which ranged from N41,000 to N47,000, compared to the previous rate of N10,000 to N15,000.
They marched through major streets, including Olomu Market, Latinwo Market Area, Olomu palace, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC)’s District office, and blocked major highways leading to neighboring states. The protesters demanded a return to Band C, improved electricity supply, replacement of faulty transformers, suspension of Band A billings, a review of current charges, an independent review of IBEDC service delivery, and a stop to overdraft purchases on pre-paid meters and consumers purchasing materials for faulty equipment.
The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, appealed for calm and said community leaders were discussing the issues with IBEDC officials. The Omu-Aran business manager of IBEDC stated he was not authorized to speak and directed inquiries to the IBEDC Kwara State Communication Officer, Mr. Gbenga Ajiboye, who said that electricity regulation is the responsibility of the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC). Ajiboye added that consumers with 20 hours of electricity supply are regulated by NERC to be on Band A, and that discussions were ongoing to resolve the issue.