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It’s no longer news that Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Tuesday presented the estimated budget for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.
The governor presented the Appropriation Bill, Titled; “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo, noting that the proposed budget, estimated at N605 billion naira, reflects a 25 percent increase from the 2024 budget.
However, a short video of the laborious presentation has been trending online. It showed how Okpebholo sweated while unveiling the Appropriation Bill as he trief to read out the figures.
“The Edo State 2025 budget… appropriation Bill of six billion, sixty and fifty, six hundred five billion, seventy six thousand, seventy six million, seventy six… Let me take it again,” he stuttered.
“Five hundred six billion, six hundred and five billion sorry, seven hundred, seventy six billion… ”
Exasperated and flustered, the governor confessed, “sorry, it’s confusing me.”
Noises erupted from the shocked audience, promoting the Speaker’s intervention, calling for silence.
The governor continued, “…six hundred and five billion and details of the budget propose, propose, proposal for your co-suggestion, consideration and approval. Thank you for your kind consideration.”
Okpebholo was sworn-in as governor in November after being declared winner of the off-cycle election in October. Before then, he had promised during electioneering to bring insecurity to Edo State if elected.
His declaration as governor is still being challenged at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
Defending the governor, Jarrett Tenebe, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, attributed Okpebholo slip, to nature.
“Humans make such mistakes, and a lot of people make such mistakes,” he said in a video message shared by Edo Updates on X.com on Wednesday.
He added that the slipup only showed that Okpebholo is a man of integrity unlike past leaders in the state.
As if that was not enough, an aide to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in a trending video was seen congratulating Governor Umo Eno of the state, on the demise of his wife.
The embarrassment from nigeria’s leaders is palpable and unacceptable, and many are querying the county’s recruitment process for political leaders.
