Osun Residents Appeal to President Tinubu to Address Unstable Power Supply
Residents of more than 15 communities in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the persistent electricity challenges affecting the area.
The residents said erratic power supply has continued to disrupt businesses and daily activities across their communities.
The appeal followed a recent peaceful protest staged by the affected communities at the office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), where demonstrators demanded improved and consistent electricity supply.
Speaking on behalf of the communities at the palace of the Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, the Ataoja of Osogbo, community representative Mohammed Basheer lamented that residents received less than nine hours of electricity within a seven-day period.
Basheer criticised IBEDC for allegedly involving the Department of State Services (DSS) after the protest, stressing that the demonstration was peaceful.
He also described it as ironic that communities hosting key national power infrastructure continue to experience poor electricity supply. According to him, strategic institutions such as Osun State University, the Nigerian Air Force Research Institute, the Nigerian Army Training Depot, and the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation depend on stable electricity to function effectively.
Basheer further alleged that IBEDC prioritises areas that generate higher revenue while neglecting other communities, urging the Federal Government to treat electricity stability as a critical issue affecting livelihoods.
Also speaking, Suleiman Olanipekun, the Babakekere of Osogbo Land and Chief-of-Staff to the Ataoja, warned that legal action may be taken if the electricity challenges persist.
He called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and other relevant regulatory bodies to investigate the matter and ensure that electricity distribution in the area meets national standards.
Olanipekun also urged IBEDC to engage with community leaders and take urgent steps to restore reliable electricity supply to the affected communities.
