Aggrieved indigenes and residents of Rumuodomaya Clan in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday 16 February, 2026 trooped out in their numbers to besiege the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) office along SARS Road, chanting against what they described as deliberate neglect and sabotage of power supply to their community.
The protesters, many clad in black attire as a symbol of mourning their prolonged darkness, accused PHED of plunging the area into blackout since November 2025 despite no reported fault or damage to infrastructure.
Speaking to newsmen during the demonstration, Mr. Frank Worlu, Youth Chairman of Adepe-Nu-Zubia Youth Forum in Rumuodomaya Clan, expressed deep frustration over the treatment meted out to a community that has freely donated land for government agencies and PHED installations.
“This is the first time Rumuodomaya is coming out on the news for something like this,” Worlu lamented. “We are known for our peaceful nature, we are known for peace. It may interest the public to know that we last enjoyed stable power supply in November 2025. What is our offence?”
He insisted that reliable information available to the community shows no equipment breakdown, alleging that PHED has simply chosen to withhold supply.
“We have decided that whatever it would take for us to have stable power supply, we will do it,” he warned, urging immediate resolution to avert breakdown of law and order.
Other protesters, including Mrs. Edith David and a resident who identified himself as Justice, decried the irony of paying hefty electricity bills—ranging from N20,000 to N50,000 per flat monthly—while enduring total blackout that has crippled businesses and daily life.
The demonstrators accused PHED officials of sabotaging economic activities in the area and demanded the immediate restoration of power, insisting that continued darkness would no longer be tolerated.
Our correspondent reports that PHED officials eventually emerged from their office to engage the protesters.
However, as at the time of filing this report, the company’s representatives had not met the demonstrators’ demands.
The protest underscores growing discontent among electricity consumers in parts of Rivers State over persistent epileptic supply and alleged insensitivity from distribution companies despite regular payments.
