Bring Us Back to Band C!” Masquerades Lead Protest Over Electricity Tariff Hike in Kwara

Residents of Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, took to the streets over the weekend in a dramatic protest against skyrocketing electricity bills. The protest, led by two masquerades, was sparked by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company’s (IBEDC) reclassification of the community’s billing from Band C to Bands B and A, resulting in a steep rise in charges.

The demonstrators, wielding placards with messages like “Omu-Aran Says No to Band A” and “Bring Us Back to Band C,” barricaded major roads, including the Omu-Aran-Kabba and Omu-Aran-Otun-Ekiti highways, disrupting traffic for hours. They also paraded through key locations such as Olomu Market, the Olomu Palace, and the IBEDC office at Omu-Aran City Complex.

Residents expressed outrage over March 2025 bills ranging from ₦41,000 to ₦47,000—up from previous rates of ₦10,000 to ₦15,000—despite persistent power outages and faulty transformers. The protesters vowed to continue until their demands are met.

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In a joint statement, Niyi Adeyeye, President of the Omu-Aran Development Association, and Elder Ranti Adebayo outlined their demands: reversal of the billing classification to Band C, suspension of current charges under Band A, repair of faulty transformers, a review of IBEDC’s service delivery, and an independent assessment of electricity supply quality.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, appealed for calm and assured residents that discussions with IBEDC were ongoing. The protest remained peaceful but underscored growing frustrations over electricity management in the area.