The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe, has defended Governor Monday Okpebholo following widespread criticism over his budget presentation blunder during the 2025 Appropriation Bill submission to the State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
A viral video captured the governor stumbling repeatedly over the figures while attempting to announce the total budget amount. In the clip, Okpebholo appeared visibly flustered, saying:
“The Edo State 2025 Appropriation Bill of 6 billion… 650… 605 billion… 76 thou… 76 million…
“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me.”
Reacting to the backlash, Tenebe dismissed the criticisms as unwarranted, asserting that such slip-ups are common human errors.
“Social media has been agog with our governor’s budget presentation about a mistake on 650 billion and the rest of it all. It’s a normal thing. Humans make such mistakes, and a lot of people make such mistakes,” Tenebe said in a video message shared by Edo Updates on X.com on Wednesday.
The APC chairman also praised Okpebholo’s integrity, suggesting that the governor’s unfamiliarity with large figures highlighted his honesty.
He said “That is how to know original and innocent people. Monday is not a thief, so he’s not familiar with figures.”
Tenebe urged critics to focus on the governor’s achievements rather than a fleeting error during the presentation.
“He’s the governor of the state, he’s performing, and he will continue to perform. And anybody who does not like his face should go to hell and burn to ashes, period, and thank you,” he concluded.
Governor Okpebholo’s proposed 2025 budget is estimated at N605 billion, representing a 25% increase from the 2024 budget.
The Appropriation Bill is titled “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo.”
