The ‘god’s Are Angry:Masquerades Lead Protest Against High Electricity Bills in Kwara

In a dramatic display of discontent, two masquerades led a group of youths in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, to protest against exorbitant electricity bills and the sudden upgrade of their billing classification from Band C to Band A. The protesters gathered at Bareke Roundabout, carrying placards with messages like Omu-Aran Says No to Band A and “Bring Us Back to Band C.

The Protest
The protesters marched through major streets in Omu-Aran, including Olomu Market, Latinwo Market Area, and the Olomu palace, before arriving at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) office. They also blocked major highways, such as the Omu-Aran-Kabba and Omu-Aran-Otun-Ekiti roads, causing significant delays for motorists and travelers.

Demands
The protesters’ demands include :
– Reversion to Band C: Return to the previous billing regime
– Replacement of Faulty Transformers Fixing transformers to ensure consistent electricity supply
– Review of IBEDC’s Service Delivery. Independent assessment of IBEDC’s operations in Omu-Aran
– Stoppage of Overdraft Purchases: Halting overdraft purchases on pre-paid meters
– End to Consumer-Funded Repairs. Stopping consumers from buying materials for faulty electrical equipment.

Impact
The sudden reclassification from Band C to Band A resulted in electricity bills skyrocketing from N10,000 to N15,000 to between N41,000 and N47,000. The protesters argue that this increase is unjustified, given the persistent supply issues in their community.

Community Leader’s Intervention

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, received the protesters at his palace, appealing for calm and patience. He assured the crowd that community leaders are already engaging IBEDC officials to address the issues and find a resolution .