Residents of Owode Egba, the capital of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, have embarked on a city wide ‘warning’ protest against lack of electricity that has now entered the sixth month.

Various youth groups, artisans and civil servants coming under the aegis of the Owode Youth Development Movement are demonstrating peacefully with placards, banners and band music.

The movement in a communique signed by the chairman of the movement, Soyoye Fatai had on Sunday urged the residents to come out en-masse to protest what he described as a ‘callous seizure of power’ and to demonstrate civilly to bring the attention of the authorities to the crises.

Mr. Soyoye also made it known that the movement has consulted several authorities including the government and the power distribution company but their requests and pleas have been treated with disdain, hence the need for the protest.

‘We as a movement have consulted necessary authorities and have erected a joint consultative forum to speak with authorities on behalf of the people but sadly, dialogues and the pleas of the people have been treated with disdain by the government and power authorities.’ Mr. Soyoye said.

An official of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) zonal office in Mowe told Peoples Gazette under conditions of anonymity because he was not authorised to do so, that the authorities are waiting for the people to show commitment towards ending the crisis by first organising a community fund raising.

“It is not a new thing that the electricity is faulty, most parts of the state do not have light but the communities through their various CDAs are contributing money for transformers and other needed materials. The IBEDC is not responding because the people are just talking and not showing commitment,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the Olu of Owode Egba, Kolawole Sowemimo, has reiterated his commitment to the peaceful protests emphasising that the protests would continue if the government fails to listen to the people.

“The IBEDC is not capable of managing electricity, the government should do something about it, we have written letters from Abeokuta to Abuja, we are tired,” the traditional ruler chimed. “IBEDC is asking us to buy an equipment of #30 million and give it to them in donation after stifling the communities with estimated and outrageous bills.”

Majority of towns under the Obafemi/Owode local government are also experiencing long term electricity outage with almost no solution in sight.

The local government is home to former governors Olusegun Osoba and Ibikunle Amosun who is currently representing the area at the Senate.

Although power is on the exclusive legislative list of the federal government, the Gazette reached out to office of the governor and office of the senator representing the district both of which are yet to reply as at the time of filing this report.