Residents of Osogbo on Wednesday staged a protest at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Osun Regional Office, demanding improved electricity supply and giving the company a seven-day ultimatum to restore affected communities to Band A classification.
The protesters gathered at Oke Baale in Osogbo, marched through the Station Road area, and eventually proceeded to the IBEDC Osun Regional Office.
Heavily armed security operatives deployed to the facility heightened tensions as the residents chanted solidarity songs and expressed frustration over irregular power supply to their communities.
The demonstrators 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 of grievances to the IBEDC Regional Head, Ifeanyi Ikeji, Akeem Badmus, a leader of the protesters, 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, along with Atoyebi Akeem, Adebayo Oladepo, and Oseni Abidemi, said that since the reclassification of the affected communities from Bands B and A to Band C, residents have 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 comes after a similar demonstration in , where residents staged a protest 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, carrying banners that read, “We say no to BEDC oppression,” “No light, no bill,” and “Edo people say no to bulk billing.” Governor joined the protesters in solidarity.
