Residents in Umuahia took to the streets on Tuesday to protest against steep electricity bills, urging Governor Alex Otti to intervene.
About 1,000 residents of Umuahia on Tuesday stormed the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) office on Bende Road to protest what they described as “crazy bills.” The protesters, drawn from various parts of the capital, also marched to the Abia State Government House, appealing to Governor Alex Otti to wade into the issue.
They claimed that September 2025 bills rose by over 400 percent, with each flat charged between ₦40,000 and ₦60,000, even in areas without power supply. Previously, they paid between ₦10,000 and ₦12,000.
“Last month, I got a ₦12,000 bill, but this month they gave me ₦45,000. Where will a petty trader like me get the money to pay such bills?” said Kelechi Anamekwe, a resident.
Chanting protest songs and waving placards, the residents accused EEDC of exploitation. The demonstration forced EEDC workers to vacate their offices as protesters later marched to the Government House for intervention.