By: Gbolahan Adetayo
The Remo North Legislative Council and youth stakeholders have rejected the reclassification of electricity consumers in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State from Band C to Band A, demanding an immediate reversal of the decision by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The rejection followed growing protests, complaints and petitions by residents over the alleged unilateral upward review of the electricity tariff classification, which they said was not justified by the level of power supply enjoyed by consumers in the area.
The Remo North Legislative Council, at its plenary session held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, reportedly passed a resolution condemning the reclassification and calling on IBEDC and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to restore the affected communities to Band C or a lower category that reflects the actual hours of electricity supplied.
The council, which represents the 10 political wards across Isara, Ipara, Ilara, Akaka, Orile-Oko, Ode-Remo and other communities, argued that residents were being subjected to higher electricity bills without receiving the corresponding improvement in power supply.
According to the lawmakers, residents currently receive between 10 and 12 hours of electricity daily, a situation they said does not justify the Band A classification, which requires a minimum of 20 hours of supply daily.
The council consequently called for an immediate suspension of the reclassification, reversal of any improper billing arising from the exercise and an open joint audit of daily electricity supply hours involving IBEDC and council representatives.
It also demanded full disclosure of the methodology used in determining tariff classifications and electricity supply hours, insisting that consumers should not be made to pay premium rates without receiving the corresponding service.
The lawmakers warned that imposing higher electricity tariffs on communities already struggling with economic challenges could further undermine small businesses and trigger public discontent.
The council further declared its readiness to support lawful action against the distribution company to protect residents, students and businesses from what it described as unaffordable electricity charges. The resolution was backed by the Executive Chairman of Remo North Local Government, Hon. Ayodele Olumuyiwa Sodade.
In a related development, Remo North youth stakeholders have also thrown their weight behind the opposition to the tariff reclassification, following a meeting with the Business Manager of IBEDC’s Remo North Substation.
At the meeting held on November 3, 2026, at Afotamodi House, Isara-Remo, the youth leaders raised concerns over electricity supply challenges, tariff classification and alleged irregularities in estimated billing across the local government.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the stakeholders demanded that IBEDC provide a clear explanation of the criteria and procedures used in upgrading consumers from Band C to Band A.
They also called for improved and stable electricity supply across Remo North, arguing that frequent blackouts and unreliable service made the higher tariff classification unjustifiable.
The youth leaders particularly expressed concern over the impact of the tariff increase on artisans, butchers, farmers, welders and small-scale entrepreneurs, whom they described as the backbone of the local economy.
Beyond the tariff controversy, the stakeholders condemned what they described as excessive and arbitrary estimated electricity bills imposed on households and businesses without functional prepaid meters.
They urged IBEDC to prioritise improvements to electricity infrastructure, repair faulty equipment and accelerate the distribution and installation of prepaid meters across the communities.
The communiqué also called for the establishment of an effective complaint-resolution mechanism to enable consumers to report billing irregularities, faulty meters and poor electricity supply without intimidation or unnecessary delays.
The youth stakeholders threatened to formally escalate their complaints to NERC and other relevant authorities if the issues remained unresolved.
Both the legislative council and the youth stakeholders, however, expressed their commitment to peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement with IBEDC, while insisting that the interests and welfare of electricity consumers must be protected.
The youth communiqué was signed by Comrade Fadimu Olusola Yusuf, Convener and Vice Chairman of the Remo Youth Association; Comrade Akinneye Ayomide, NYCN Coordinator, Remo North Local Government; and representatives of Ipara, Isara, Ode-Remo and Ilara communities.
They maintained that Remo North residents would continue to pursue the demand for a reversal of the Band A classification through lawful and peaceful channels until electricity supply and billing practices reflect the realities of the communities.
