The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe has come to the defense of Governor Monday Okpebholo following a public mishap during the presentation of the state’s 2025 budget proposal.
During a session with lawmakers, Governor Okpebholo faced difficulties articulating figures from the N605billion appropriation bill, which represents a 25 percent increase from the previous year’s budget. As he attempted to present the figures, Okpebholo stumbled, stating, “The Edo State Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” His voice wavered, and after several attempts to correct himself, he admitted, “Sorry, it’s confusing me.” This prompted laughter and murmurs from those present in the assembly.
In response to the criticism that followed, Tenebe released a video defending the governor, attributing the struggle with numbers to Okpebholo’s integrity and lack of involvement in corrupt practices. “The social media has been agog with the governor’s budget presentation about the mistake on N605billion and the rest of it all,” Tenebe remarked. “It’s a normal thing. People make such mistakes.”
Tenebe further emphasized, “I don’t know figures… and that’s how to know original and innocent people. Monday Okpebholo is not a thief and he is not familiar with figures. Anybody who wants to talk and continue to talk is just spouting nonsense.”
The APC chair’s comments have elicited mixed reactions. While some applaud his loyalty to the governor, others question the justification for Okpebholo’s public mishap.
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