DRAMA AS NEW EDO GOVERNOR STRUGGLES TO PRONOUNCE BUDGET AMOUNT AT STATE ASSEMBLY

DRAMA AS NEW EDO GOVERNOR STRUGGLES TO PRONOUNCE BUDGET AMOUNT AT STATE ASSEMBLY

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was captured in a video struggling to pronounce the figure for the state’s 2025 budget.

Okpebholo was sworn-in as governor in November after winning the off-cycle election in October.

The governor presented an estimated N605 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year at the Edo State House of Assembly.

The budget, titled “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” reflects a 25 percent increase over the 2024 budget. While unveiling the Appropriation Bill, the governor noticeably stuttered as he tried to pronounce the N605 billion mark. Despite the hiccup, he pressed on with his presentation.

In his address, Okpebholo outlined that 37 percent of the total budget, amounting to N223 billion, would be allocated to recurrent expenditure. The remaining N381 billion (63 percent) would go toward capital projects.

The governor emphasized that the budget is a product of extensive consultations and embodies his administration’s commitment to achieving its five-point agenda of Security, Infrastructural Development, Healthcare, Food Sufficiency and Education.