Electricity supply has been disrupted in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states following the shutdown of facilities belonging to BEDC Electricity Plc by workers protesting over their emoluments and welfare packages.
The industrial action, organised by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), reportedly began in the early hours of yesterday, 19th October 2026,leaving customers across the four states without electricity.
At the company’s headquarters in Benin City, union officials reportedly prevented staff from accessing the premises and shut down key operational facilities.
A senior BEDC staff member expressed surprise at the action, claiming that the company’s management had recently reviewed workers’ emoluments.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Edo State, Bernard Egwakide, confirmed that the labour movement had previously intervened in the dispute.
He said NUEE leaders were meeting with BEDC management to resolve the disagreement, adding that the outcome of the meeting would determine whether further intervention by the NLC would be necessary.
In a related development in Ondo State, tension erupted in Akure as commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, clashed with ticket sellers over alleged multiple levies.
The confrontation reportedly occurred at different locations across the metropolis after riders resisted attempts by revenue collectors to enforce additional payments.
The motorcycle operators alleged that they were being asked to pay seven thousand naira for an emblem said to have been introduced by the Akure South Local Government Area, despite claims that they had already paid similar charges.
They accused the council chairman, Mr Gbenga Fasua, of authorising the collection. However, the chairman reportedly denied the allegation.
The disputes have raised concerns over electricity supply, workers’ welfare and revenue collection, as stakeholders await further developments in both situations.
