Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to account over an extended power outage that has left major towns in the state without electricity since a rainstorm hit last Saturday. The storm damaged infrastructure in Osogbo and other communities, cutting off power supply and disrupting daily life. In a statement released Thursday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke confirmed he had summoned IBEDC officials for talks aimed at resolving the crisis. He cited mounting complaints from residents and business owners, warning that commercial activities were stalling due to the persistent blackout.
Adeleke acknowledged the broader challenges in Nigeria's power sector but stressed that Osun was bearing a disproportionate burden. "Businesses are grinding to a halt. We cannot continue like this," he said, calling for immediate collaboration with IBEDC on short-term fixes. While recognising the capital demands of power infrastructure, he reiterated the state government's push toward renewable energy as a long-term, sustainable option—provided it remains affordable. The governor revealed plans to establish a state electricity regulatory commission to monitor power generation and distribution, aiming to improve oversight and protect consumers. He also directed the Commissioner for Energy to organise a meeting between IBEDC and consumer advocacy groups to address public concerns.
When Adeleke says businesses are "grinding to a halt," he is pointing to a reality many governors ignore: unreliable power directly strangles subnational economies. His move to summon IBEDC—even if symbolic—breaks the pattern of state leaders passively echoing federal excuses. By pushing for a state regulatory body and renewable alternatives, he is laying groundwork for energy autonomy that could pressure other states to act, not wait. This isn't just about fixing transformers—it's about redefining who holds power in Nigeria's broken electricity chain.
