Ogun youths to picket IBEDC over 120-day blackouts in governor’s hometown

Youths of Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State have threatened to picket the offices of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company if the company refuses to restore power supply in the next seven days.

Iperu is the hometown of Governor Dapo Abiodun and his closest rival in the 2023 governorship election, Ladi Adebutu.

Youths of Iperu said they have been experiencing total blackouts for the past 120 days, asking the IBEDC to do the needful or face the consequences.

In a statement titled, ‘Total Blackout in Iperu Remo: Youth Gives IBEDC 7 Days Ultimatum to Restore Power or Face Consequences’, the Iperu Youth Development Association lamented that the IBEDC had shown blatant disregard for the plight of their people despite repeated appeals.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Friday, the Youth President, Ganiyu Hammed, stated that the community would no longer keep quiet.

“The residents of Iperu Remo have endured over 120 days of total blackout, enduring darkness and hardship on the excuse of being connected to 11KVA while neighbouring towns connected to the same 11KVA line enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

“The IBEDC has failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for this discrepancy, leaving the community in a state of frustration and despair.

“Despite repeated appeals and demands for action, the IBEDC has shown blatant disregard for the plight of the people of Iperu Remo. Therefore, the youth of Iperu Remo hereby issue a stern warning to the IBEDC to restore power to our town within seven days. Failure to do so will result in consequences, including potential protests and locking of their business offices for 120 days as well. We refuse to accept any further excuses or delays,” the youths said

Hammed disclosed that residents of Iperu are concerned about the deteriorating situation of electricity in the town as well as the “escalating insecurity in our beloved town of Iperu Remo”.

The youths notified the Nigeria Police Force, Iperu Remo Division, of their intention to take action if power is not restored within the stipulated timeframe.

“We urge the police to support our peaceful protest and ensure the safety of all citizens. The recent incidents of insecurity, including the kidnapping of two individuals and the tragic killing of a Professor from Babcock University by hoodlums, are unacceptable.

“We urge the Nigeria Police Force, especially the Iperu Division, to be more vigilant and proactive in addressing these security challenges. We call on all security agencies in the town to collaborate and intensify efforts to ensure the safety and security of all residents,” the statement added.

The youths called on Gov Abiodun to urgently intervene in the matter, saying the people of Iperu Remo have suffered enough and deserve to have their basic needs met

“In addition, we call upon the Iperu Development Association under the leadership of Chief Jide Oyeti, and the Iperu Traditional Council, including all the Oba’s in Iperu, especially the Alaperu of Iperu, Oba Adeleke Idowu; the Baale’s, and the Olorituns to stand with us in solidarity and demand justice from the IBEDC.

“The youth of Iperu Remo remain resolute and determined to fight for our rights. We will not rest until light is restored to our town.

“The Iperu Youth Development Association remains committed to advocating for the welfare and development of Iperu Remo and will continue to hold accountable those responsible for the provision of essential services and the maintenance of security in our community,” they said.

Contacted, the IBEDC spokesperson, Busolami Tunwase, blamed the blackouts on restricted allocation; a challenge she said affects Ogun generally.

“The major challenge in Ogun generally, is restricted allocation, and we can only give what we have.

“Some parts of Iperu are on 33kV, which is a Transmission Company of Nigeria line that supplies 11kv lines. So, the location of these communities gives them the advantage of better supply than others,” Tunwase noted.

She added that the IBEDC had held meetings to explain this to the community.

“We are working with other stakeholders to ensure a better supply. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this,” she remarked.