Residents of Osogbo on Wednesday staged a protest at the Osun Regional Office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, demanding improved electricity supply and issuing the company a seven-day ultimatum to restore affected communities to Band A classification.
The protesters converged on Oke Baale in Osogbo and marched through the Station Road area before assembling at a designated point and proceeding to the IBEDC Osun Regional Office.
The presence of heavily armed security operatives deployed to secure the facility heightened tension, as the protesters chanted solidarity songs and expressed displeasure over irregular power supply to their communities.
The residents issued a seven-day ultimatum to the company to “restore the affected communities to Band A classification within seven days,” warning that failure to comply would compel them to take lawful and collective actions, “including reconsidering the operational access of IBEDC personnel within these communities.”
Presenting a letter detailing their grievances to the IBEDC Regional Head, Ifeanyi Ikeji, a leader of the protesters, Akeem Badmus, said the march was organised under the aegis of the “United Communities Meeting held on 28th February, 2026, comprising representatives from Owo-Eba, Garage Ilesa, Tara, Oke-Baale axis, OSBC area, UNIOSUN axis, Air Force Base, Army Depot, Boredun, Coker, Odu, Omu, and other affected areas, serious concerns were raised regarding the persistent epileptic supply of electricity to these communities.”
Badmus, who read the letter signed by Sulaiman Buruji, Chairman of United Communities, alongside Atoyebi Akeem, Adebayo Oladepo and Oseni Abidemi, stated that since the reclassification of the affected communities from Bands B and A to Band C, residents had been subjected to grossly inadequate power supply.
“Contrary to the provisions stated in the Electricity Distribution Service Reflective Tariff framework, which stipulates a minimum of 12 hours and up to 16 hours of electricity supply daily for Band C, our communities barely receive an average of four (4) hours per day. In some instances, entire days pass without any electricity supply whatsoever.
“The meeting further noted with deep concern circulating reports alleging that electricity meant for these communities is being diverted and sold to the highest bidder. While we cannot independently verify these claims, the persistent and unexplained deprivation of supply has fueled widespread suspicion and dissatisfaction among residents.
“The impact of this epileptic power supply has been devastating. Residents are experiencing severe hardship, small-scale businesses are on the verge of collapse, and corporate institutions are significantly affected. For instance, the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation has reportedly been constrained to transmitting for less than six (6) hours daily due to inadequate electricity supply,” he said.
Responding, Ikeji explained that the affected communities were downgraded from Band A because the company could not meet the required hours of supply for customers under that classification.
“As of today, the cost of electricity is close to N128. I will like to sell in Band A to you because I am in business. Moving customers to Band A does not depend on only IBEDC; NERC is the only one that can approve that customers be moved to Band A. You said your communities were downgraded from Band A.
“Maybe our people did not tell you what happened. When we put you on Band A, and we are not meeting the demands of providing the Band A services to you. When I resumed, I said it was unjust to keep you on Band A. When somebody is on Band A, you should be able to give them 20 hours of electricity. That was what led to you being downgraded. I am sorry if you are not aware of what led to it,” Ikeji said.
On the demand to restore the communities to Band A, the IBEDC boss added, “The request from you to go back to Band A, I tell you, it is my desire to do that. But the power constraint we are having now will not enable me to do it. But immediately the situation improves, you are going back.”
This protest follows a similar demonstration in Benin, Edo State, where residents staged a demonstration over persistent blackouts and the billing system of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company.
The protesters gathered at Ring Road in the heart of Benin City before commencing the march, carrying banners reading, “We say no to BEDC oppression,” “No light, no bill,” and “Edo people say no to bulk billing.”
Governor Monday Okpebholo joined the protesters in a show of solidarity.
