Protesters in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, led by masquerades, rallied against a hike in electricity tariffs and a sudden reclassification from Band C to Band A. They criticized the high charges and poor power supply, demanding a return to previous rates and better infrastructure for reliable electricity.
In Omu-Aran, Kwara State, a protest against a sharp hike in electricity tariffs was led by two masquerades, drawing a large crowd of youths. The demonstrators, armed with placards, voiced strong opposition to the reclassification of their community’s electricity from Band C to Band A, which significantly increased their bills. Residents reported a rise in their March 2025 charges from N10,000-N15,000 to as high as N47,000.
The protestors criticized the sudden tariff change, especially given the ongoing power issues in the area, including faulty transformers and irregular power supply. Despite the government’s silence, the protesters made clear demands for a return to Band C, the suspension of the new tariffs, and the repair of broken infrastructure.
Their protest route included key areas like Olomu Market, Latinwo Market, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) office, blocking main highways and causing hours of disruption for travelers. The protest remained peaceful, despite the exclusion of security forces, and the protesters reiterated their intention to resolve the issue through dialogue.
Community leaders, including the Olomu of Omu-Aran, assured the public that talks with IBEDC were ongoing, urging calm while working to address the grievances. The protest reflects the growing frustration of citizens in regions facing rising costs and subpar electricity services.
