Osun Civil Society Groups Threaten Mass Protest Over Poor Power Supply in Osogbo

Civil society organisations in Osun State have condemned the worsening electricity supply crisis in Osogbo and its environs, giving the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) a 48-hour ultimatum to restore stable power or face a peaceful mass protest.

The press statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Network of Civil Society Groups in Osun State by Olowu Emmanuel of Social Economic and Civil Rights Advocacy (SECRA); Tobiloba Richards Agboola of Good Governance Initiative (GGI); Raufu Sodiq Akinkunmi (Success) of Youths for Better Nigeria; Olanrewaju Stephen of Center for Accountability & Democracy; and Janet Olayemi Gbadebo of Grassroots Watch.

The groups lamented that artisans, traders, households and corporate organisations have been subjected to prolonged darkness and mounting hardship, while IBEDC has allegedly failed to provide clear explanations or assurances.

“This situation goes beyond routine outages. It represents a clear disregard for the rights and livelihoods of the people,” the statement read.

The network also criticised the Service-Based Tariff (SBT) framework introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), under which electricity consumers are placed into supply bands with guaranteed minimum hours of power.

According to the groups, many communities in Osun appear to have been placed in lower supply bands, resulting in significantly reduced electricity availability despite continued billing.

“Despite these arrangements, consumers are still not getting electricity as advertised,” the statement added.

The civil society organisations warned that the situation is worsening poverty levels and undermining economic stability in the state, as businesses struggle to survive, artisans and traders record daily losses, and households resort to expensive alternative power sources.

The groups warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated timeframe would trigger a peaceful mass protest to the IBEDC regional office in Osogbo.
They said civil society groups would mobilise residents, market associations, youth groups, artisans and community leaders for the action.

“Electricity is not a privilege. It is a paid-for essential service. The people of Osun will no longer tolerate neglect, exploitation and silence from those responsible. Enough is enough,” the statement concluded.