Kingsley Ohens reporting
Benin City, Nigeria | March 2, 2026
Governor Monday Okpebholo on Monday joined youths and residents protesting electricity shortages in Benin City, pledging immediate stakeholder engagement to address mounting concerns surrounding the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The protest, staged at Ring Road — a major commercial hub in the state capital — saw demonstrators voice frustration over persistent blackouts, estimated billing, and the reported high cost of prepaid meters. Placards bearing messages such as “No light, no bill” and “We say no to BEDC oppression” underscored growing public dissatisfaction with electricity distribution services across Edo State.
Addressing the crowd, Governor Okpebholo expressed solidarity with the protesters, describing electricity supply as a critical issue affecting households, businesses, and rural communities alike.
“I saw the gathering and stopped to understand the concerns,” the governor said. “When I was told it was about electricity, I joined because this affects all of us — our parents in the villages, our brothers and sisters in the cities. No one should short-change Edo people.”
While clarifying that BEDC operates as a privately owned distribution company outside the direct control of the state government, the governor assured residents that decisive measures would be pursued to safeguard consumer interests.
He proposed opening up the electricity distribution space to new investors as a long-term strategy to improve service delivery and introduce competition.
“We must break monopoly practices and create options for our people, similar to what we have in the telecommunications sector,” he stated. “Competition will drive efficiency, accountability, and improved service.”
Governor Okpebholo announced that a stakeholders’ meeting would be convened on Tuesday, calling on the protesters to nominate five representatives to participate in the dialogue.
“We will engage all relevant actors to explore practical solutions that guarantee stable power supply. I urge everyone to remain calm while this engagement process unfolds,” he appealed.
Speaking for the demonstrators, Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel alleged oppressive billing practices and called for transparency in BEDC’s metering system, particularly concerning its free meter distribution initiative. He further claimed that prepaid meters were reportedly priced between ₦150,000 and ₦400,000, urging the company to publish the names of beneficiaries to enhance accountability.
The protest concluded peacefully, with security personnel maintaining order as participants dispersed following the governor’s intervention.
In a statement issued shortly after the event, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to constructive dialogue and sustainable reforms within the power distribution sector. He emphasized that the planned stakeholder meeting reflects the government’s responsiveness to citizens’ concerns and its determination to pursue competitive, investor-driven solutions for improved electricity supply in Edo State.
As of press time, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company had not released an official response to the allegations raised during the protest.
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