“He is innocent and not a thief” – APC reacts to Gov. Okpebholo’s embarrassing budget presentation

“He is innocent and not a thief” – APC reacts to Gov. Okpebholo’s embarrassing budget presentation

Story by Victor Itodo ABUH

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has defended Governor Monday Okpebholo following criticism over his apparent struggle with figures during the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

A video of the incident, which shows the governor stumbling over the budget total, went viral on social media.

During the presentation, Governor Okpebholo said:

“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.”

In response to the backlash, Tenebe dismissed the criticism, describing the slip as a normal human error.

“Social media has been agog with our governor’s budget presentation about a mistake on N650 billion and the rest of it all. It’s a normal thing. Humans make such mistakes, and a lot of people make such mistakes,” he said in a video message shared on X.com.

Tenebe argued that the incident highlighted Governor Okpebholo’s honesty, contrasting him with previous state leaders.

He remarked, “That is how to know original and innocent people. Monday is not a thief, so he’s not familiar with figures.”

The APC chairman urged critics to focus on the governor’s performance rather than his minor slip.

“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,” Tenebe concluded.

Read also: APC’s Monday Okpebholo declared winner of Edo governorship election

Governor Okpebholo’s proposed budget for 2025, titled the “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” is estimated at N605 billion—a 25% increase from the previous year’s budget.

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