Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, faced moments of confusion while presenting the 2025 budget to the State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The proposed budget, titled “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” is estimated at N605 billion, reflecting a 25% increase from the 2024 budget.
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During his presentation, Okpebholo, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who won the 2024 governorship election, struggled to pronounce the budget’s numerical value.
In a video circulating on social media, the governor stuttered, 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.”
The moment caused an uproar in the House before Speaker Blessing Agbebaku called for calm, saying, “Order the House, please. Mr Speaker must be heard in silence, please.”
Okpebholo eventually clarified, “605 billion and details of the budget proposed… proposal for your consideration and approval. Thank you for your kind consideration.”
The governor revealed that N223 billion, representing 37% of the total budget, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while N381 billion, or 63%, is allocated for capital projects.
He described the budget as a product of “extensive consultations” and emphasized his administration’s commitment to a five-point agenda: security, infrastructural development, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.
“We are aware of the critical need to connect communities with motorable roads for rapid economic growth. The construction of the iconic Ramat Park fly-over, the first of its kind in the state, marks a significant step towards transforming Benin City from an ancient city into a modern one,” Okpebholo stated.
In his remarks, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku assured the governor of the Assembly’s support, saying, “We will collaborate with your Excellency to ensure that the people of Edo enjoy the dividends of democracy.”
