Osogbo communities urge Tinubu to address unstable power supply

By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Residents of over 15 communities in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure a stable power supply, citing the impact of erratic electricity on businesses and daily life.

The communities recently staged a peaceful protest at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) offices over inconsistent electricity supply, urging the company to address persistent lapses.

Speaking on behalf of the communities at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Dr. Mohammed Basheer said residents had received less than nine hours of electricity over a seven-day period.

He criticized IBEDC for involving the Department of State Services (DSS) after the protest, insisting the demonstration was peaceful. Basheer emphasized the irony of communities hosting critical national power infrastructure remaining in darkness, noting that strategic institutions—including Osun State University, the Nigerian Air Force Research Institute, the Nigeria Army Training Depot, and Osun State Broadcasting Corporation—depend on stable electricity for operations.

He alleged that IBEDC prioritizes areas generating higher revenue, leaving other communities underserved, and called on the federal government to treat electricity stability as a critical issue affecting livelihoods.

Chief Suleiman Olanipekun, Babakekere of Osogbo Land and Chief-of-Staff to the Ataoja, warned that legal action may be taken if the power issues persist. He urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and other regulatory authorities to investigate and ensure electricity distribution meets national standards, while calling on IBEDC to engage with community leaders and restore reliable supply.

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