By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Youths from Ososo, Ojah, Ijiranmi and other communities in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State have demanded urgent intervention to end an eight-month power outage which they said had crippled businesses and stalled development in the area.
The protesters made the demand on Thursday, 24 September, 2026 when they marched to the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Power in Benin, carrying placards to draw attention to the prolonged blackout and hardship faced by residents.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Bernard Gomina said the affected communities had been without electricity for about eight months despite interventions by community leaders and the member representing Akoko-Edo II Constituency, Donald Okogbe.
He said the prolonged outage had severely affected businesses and commercial activities in the communities, urging the authorities to act swiftly to restore electricity.
“This protest is meant to bring our plight to the public as we have not enjoyed electricity for eight months. Businesses and commercial activities have been badly affected,” Gomina said.
Another protester, Abayomi, alleged that residents had contributed huge sums of money to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, on several occasions for the repair of faulty equipment, but said the problems remained unresolved.
He also complained about what he described as outrageous estimated bills imposed on residents despite the epileptic power supply they received before the outage.
Abayomi called for an alternative electricity distribution company if BEDC could no longer provide reliable power to the affected communities.
Okogbe, who joined the protesters at the commission, said the prolonged blackout had left residents frustrated and required urgent intervention.
He explained that the affected communities cut across the two state constituencies in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, adding that the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idaiye, who represents Akoko-Edo I, would have joined the protest but was engaged elsewhere.
The lawmaker urged the commission to consider an alternative arrangement, including the possibility of removing the affected communities from BEDC’s coverage if the company could no longer provide reliable electricity.
He stressed that electricity was essential to economic growth and the wellbeing of residents, urging the authorities to treat the matter as an emergency.
Responding to the protesters, the Chief Executive Officer of Edo SEBCO commended them for conducting themselves peacefully and assured them that efforts were underway to resolve the power crisis.
He disclosed that the head of the technical team responsible for the area was already on site and assured the protesters that electricity supply would be restored by Saturday.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr Shittu Shaibu, said the commission was aware of the situation and was working to resolve it.
Shaibu gave the assurance while addressing Okogbe and the protesters at the commission.
Also, the Commissioner for Power, Paul Osenbo, who received the protesters at his office, advised them to submit a memorandum detailing their complaints.
Osenbo said the ministry was aware of the challenges confronting electricity consumers across the state and assured the protesters that the issues would be addressed.
