Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the change of name of the Edo State University, Uzairue to Edo University, Iyamho.
This is contained in a statement on Monday in Benin, by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Umar Ikhilor.
According to Ikhilor, the change of name takes immediate effect. The SSG noted that all documentations in respect of the Institution shall ,henceforth, reflect the change.
Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo State flew into Akwa Ibom State late in the afternoon of Saturday, December 28, to visit Senator Godswill Akpabio and express his profound gratitude for the singular role the senate president played in his emergence as governor in the September 21 election. But the visit has left in its wake a swirl of political undercurrents in both Akwa Ibom and Edo States.
In Akwa Ibom, many APC chieftains are peeved that they were not invited to receive the Edo governor at Akpabio’s residence in Uyo and the dinner that was later hosted for the governor at Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene. For many, it is a further proof that the party is still as divided as it has been for years. In Edo, the visit reverberated in a different way, setting off discussions about Akpabio’s second term bid as Senate President and a possible challenge from Senator Adam Oshiomhole. The 2027 political season is unfolding in a rather dramatic way.
Unknown to many, Senator AKpabio is the main reason Okpobholo is governor today. On February 17, 2024, Dennis Idahosa, a member of the House of Representatives was declared winner of the Edo State APC governorship primary. Backed by Senator Oshiomhole, Idahosa polled 40, 483 votes, beating other candidates. But it was a very controversial nomination process.
Although the result was disputed by all other contestants, Idahosa’s main political weakness was that he is from Edo South Senatorial District, the same district the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, comes from. And that’s where Akpabio, ever so quick to identify opportunities, comes in.
The Senate President reckoned that since the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, is from Edo Central which was favoured by the zoning arrangement, and the APC and Labour Party’s candidates are from Edo South, the chance of PDP retaining victory was very high. The Senate President reasoned that APC’s chance would be brighter if the party fielded a candidate from Edo Central. But what could be done at this stage since a primary had already been held?
Mid morning that February, Senator Akpabio rushed to the Villa to discuss the dilemma with Vice President Kashim Shettima (President Tinubu was away on a foreign trip). He briefed the VP on the need to replace Idahosa with a candidate from Edo Central.
The VP listened attentively to Akpabio, but was not willing to go with Akpabio’s recommendation, apparently because he did not want to offend Oshiomhole. Undaunted, Akpabio then got on the phone and spoke to President Tinubu who was in Ethiopia He marshaled out his the merits of replacing Idahosa from Edo South with another candidate from Edo Central because of the zoning arrangement and the fact that Idahosa is from the same zone as the exiting governor. ‘’The President was convinced by Akpabio’s arguments, but on the condition that Akapbio must see to the victory of APC in the election’’, a well-placed source told this writer.
Akpabio assured the President that he would pull all stops to clinch victory. The President then called Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the party’s National Chairman, and instructed him to organize another primary. The Senate President tapped Godwin Okpeboloh, who was then a nondescript member of the Senate, to enter the race. To take care of Oshiomhole’s interest, it was decided that Idahosa will now become the deputy governorship candidate to Okpebholo.
But why was Akpabio so concerned with Edo election and the choice of APC’s candidate? The answer is self preservation. If Senator Oshiomhole returns to the Senate in 2027, he is likely to challenge Akapbio for the Senate President position.
So, in Akpabio’s calculation, it was politically expedient to whittle down Oshiomhole’s influence by denying him the opportunity to produce the governor. Akpabio only capitalized on Oshiomhole’s support for Idahosa. ‘’it was a smart political calculation by Akpabio and the Senate President had to relocate to Edo State throughout the campaigns just to ensure that Okpebholo won as President Tinubu told him’’, said an APC chieftain who was part of the intrigues.
Akpabio’s maneuvers to get Okpebholo elected typify the kind of cold calculations that our political leaders bring up just to sustain and promote their self interests. How I wish they are so innovative in dealing with our economic problems. When Governor-elect Okpebholo visited President Tinubu in the Villa after the election, the President confirmed Akpabio’s role in APC’s victory. Tinubu told the governor-elect, ‘’you have Akpabio to thank for your emergence as governor’’.
In Uyo during the Christmas holidays, the Senate President was in a buoyant mood when the Edo governor came calling. He praised Okpebholo for his self effacement and resilience and bragged about APC winning more states in the region. Is the Senate President looking at Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa or Akwa Ibom State as the next target?
From all indications, the party does not stand a chance of taking Akwa Ibom. It is too weak, divided and factionalized in the state to launch a major assault against the PDP which has governed the state since 1999. Even Akpabio’s guest list at the dinner he held for the Edo governor was telling enough. Only a handful of APC leaders like Senator Ita Enang (former Presidential Adviser); Mr. Victor Antai (NDDC Executive Director, Projects); Ezekiel Nya-Etok (Director, Federal Housing Authority); Mrs Eunice Thomas (NNPC director) and Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo (Minister of State Petroleum (gas)) attended, while chieftains like Umana Umana (former minister of Niger Delta Affairs); Chief Don Etiebet (former Petroleum Minister); Obong Nsima Ekere (Deputy governor to Akapbio himself); Sam Ewang (businessman and former military governor of Ogun and Rivers State); Mrs Valerie Ebe (another of Akapbio’s deputy governor) and Dr. Ita Udosen ( APC South-South Zonal Secretary) were among those who were not invited to the dinner party because of their perceived political disagreements with Akapbio.
‘’How can the Senate President host such a high-profile event and majority of our leaders were not invited? That’s a symptom of serious internal discord and disharmony within the party and that does not bode well for the party’’, said Elder Aniefiok Isatt, APC leader from Uyo.
During a congratulatory visit to Governor Monday Okpebholo at the Government House in Benin City on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the Edo chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and chairman of Orhiomwon local government, Newman Ugiagbe, pledged the loyalty and collaboration of the 18 council chairmen, to ensure the success of the Okpebholo administration.
“We are here to congratulate the Governor and the Deputy on the mandate Edo people gave them, and to pledge our loyalty to your administration,” Ugiagbe said, adding, “Our doors are open to your instructions, policies, and programmes, as we are ready to bring your policies down to the grassroots, to enable our people to benefit from the dividends of democracy as we will work to ensure your administration succeeds.”
Responding, Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, who represented Governor Okpebholo, said: “I have listened to you keenly, the ALGON Chairman. The Governor is a leader of all of us. Election has come and gone and we are all one family. The Governor has asked me to assure you that we are one family. He has also asked me to tell you that we will work closely together.”
As if to test the council chairmen’s pledge for collaboration with the administration, Idahosa said: “I guess you are aware that few weeks ago, the Assets Verification Committee was constituted. Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this government and that committee would not have the resources to go across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
“The Governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from 4th of September 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours (2 days), as that would help and enable the committee do its job effectively and efficiently… The Governor thanks you for your time.”
But in a matter of days, the promise of “collaboration and working together as a family for the government to succeed” flew out the window, and politics took the front burner, as the 18 chairmen – all members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – reneged on their assurances to Okpebholo, and refused to submit their statement of accounts for verification, as the governor directed.
Following the chairmen’s resistance to the directive, citing their financial autonomy as upheld by the Supreme Court, Okpebholo, in a December 16 petition titled, “Insubordination and Gross Misconduct by the 18 Local Government Chairmen Over Their Refusal to Submit Financial Records for Scrutiny,” reported the chairmen to the assembly, which, pending investigation, suspended them and their deputies for two months, under Section 20(b) of the Local Government Act, for “insubordination and gross misconduct” for refusal to submit their financial records for scrutiny.
Now, a huge political and constitutional crisis is brewing in Edo State, as the council chairmen have dragged in the judiciary to intervene – and it did intervene by setting aside the two-month suspension the House of Assembly clamped on the chairmen and their deputies.
As reported by ICIRNIGERIA.ORG on Thursday, December 19, a Benin City High Court, presided by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, has ordered reinstatement of the 18 council chairmen and their deputies to their pre-December 17, 2024, positions, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice adjourned to February 17, 2025, for a hearing.
Directing that hearing notices be issued to the defendants, the court ordered a mandatory injunction, compelling the defendants, including Governor Okpebholo, the Edo State Government, the Attorney-General, and the Accountant-General to restore the claimants to their respective offices, and restrained the defendants from acting on the resolution passed by the House of Assembly suspending the chairmen and their deputies.
Obviously complicating matters for Governor Okpebholo is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who on Thursday, December 19, declared as “illegal and unconstitutional,” the suspension of the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 councils in Edo State.
Fagbemi, fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, said that, based on the Supreme Court ruling of July 11, 2024, granting autonomy to the 774 councils in Nigeria, the prerogative to remove or suspend any elected council official rests with the councilors, adding, “under the present dispensation, the governor has no right to remove any local government chairman, that much I know.”
Nonetheless, Governor Okpebholo’s fighting back by instituting, on December 18, a seven-member panel to investigate the stewardship of the council chairmen, even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has jumped into the fray, to investigate the embattled council officials.
Hours after the High Court ordered reinstatement of the council chairmen and vice chairmen on Friday, December 20, a defiant Okpebholo declared that their suspension was within his oversight function of the local governments, as reported by Nigerian Tribune.
Admitting that the suspension of the chairmen has sparked an intense debate, Okpebholo said that, “a closer examination of the Constitution, and the Federal Attorney-General’s comments, reveal that the decisions by the Edo State House of Assembly, vis-a-vis the Governor of the State, are entirely justified.”
“From a legal perspective, the governor’s request to the House of Assembly, to suspend the chairmen, was done within his constitutional powers. The House of Assembly had the right to turn down the request but opted to act on it. It is therefore unfair to blame the governor,” Okpebholo said.
He argued: “If the governor had the powers to suspend the council chairmen unilaterally, he would not have resorted to drafting a letter to the House of Assembly. Again, for the record, the chairmen were not removed from office but suspended due to suspicious activities, and the governor has the right to exercise the power of oversight.
“The concept of autonomy is often misunderstood, and in this case, it does not mean that council chairmen cannot be oversight. The House of Assembly has the power to oversight the activities of the governor, and similarly, the governor has the right to exercise oversight over local government chairmen. The ongoing EFCC investigation of the 18 local government chairmen underscores the importance of accountability in governance.”
Actually in a letter dated December 17, 2024, and signed by its director of investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol, the EFCC has summoned the council chairmen for questioning, requesting certified documents, detailing payroll records, bank statements, and council finances from January 2024 to date, with chairmen from six councils, including Akoko-Edo, Egor, and Esan Central, summoned to appear on December 19, while others were scheduled for December 20.
Senator Okpebholo (APC, Edo Central) comes with a mantra of “Edo Rising Again,” and a five-point agenda to revamp the state for “rapid development and economic growth” from where former Governor and Senator Adams Oshiomhole (2008-2016) reportedly stopped.
Unencumbered by any “godfather” breathing down his neck, Okpebholo, “hitting the ground running” barely 24 hours of his inauguration on November 12, 2024, with the ground-breaking of construction of first-ever flyovers in Benin City, Edo capital city, continued in his no-time-to-waste haste to achieve tangible results in his first 100 days in office.
But like the typical politician he boasts he isn’t, Okpebholo may’ve begun giving in to distractions, to tackle what perhaps he sees as partisan antic of the council officials, who, as members of the PDP, and backed by the Edo chapters of the PDP and ALGON, have called the governor’s bluff.
Affirming their commitment to fulfilling their constitutional roles, as “no authority can prevent us from serving our councils,” the council chairmen declared that, “We will remain in office till September 2026… as our tenure runs from September 2023 to September 2026, as stipulated by law.”
Both in context and in the contest, the outcomes of Okpebholo’s directive, playing out real-time, have evoked scenes reminiscent of the hit song, “Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am,” off a 1971 album, “Roforofo Fight,” by the legendary Afrobeats maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, as the 18 council chairmen and their deputies have rejected their two-month suspension by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Relating to Fela’s depiction of the oppressor and the oppressed, Okpebholo, as “yanga” the oppressor wielding executive power, went and woke up “trouble,” the council chairmen, the oppressed (who, in their areas of jurisdiction, are also oppressors). And that’s what Fela preaches against in “Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am” – and indeed in all of his musical career of advocacy against societal ills, and the oppression of Nigerian people.
In the song, Fela warns that, “the suffering of the oppressed be respected and that if it is not, then the oppressed is justified in their decision to revolt, to take arms against the persons who mock their suffering and remain unempathetic to their oppression.” (Culled from, “The Shuffle: ‘Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am’ Was Fela At His Most Succinct,” written by The Native, October 18, 2017).
The council chairmen – all of PDP, which still nurses its defeat by the APC at the September 21, 2024, governorship election that returned Okpebholo as winner – were on their own when the governor gave them that 48-hour ultimatum to submit their financial records from September 23, 2022, when they came into office, till date.
The council chairmen’s failure to obey Okpebholo’s directive, and their subsequent suspension from office, has created a constitutional crisis that may require intervention of the Supreme Court to clarify the relationship between the state and local governments under the financial autonomy the court granted to the councils in July 2024.
As the battle line is drawn, what next for Governor Okpebholo, as the odds seem stacked against him? Will he put his foot down, and breach the rules and the Supreme Court judgment that’ve granted local governments financial autonomy? That’ll be illegal and unconstitutional, and against the avowal by the governor to work harmoniously with the opposition!
Will the council chairmen back down, and submit their financials, as directed by the governor? That’s unlikely, as the 18 councils are very strategic, politically and financially, to the presence and participation of the PDP in Edo polity, especially ahead of the 2027 elections, even as the party pins its hope on “retrieving” its alleged “stolen mandate” at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal holding in Benin City.
What Okpebholo doesn’t need now – certainly not in the future – is unnecessary self-induced distractions. The opposition – with nothing to lose – is at liberty to do anything to distract and divert his attention. But it’s in the governor’s interest, the interest of Edo people, and the daunting tasks before him, to prevent that from happening!
Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. Can be reached on X, Threads, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp @EhichioyaEzomon. Tel: 08033078357.
The 18 local government council chairmen of Edo State and their deputies suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly have been restored back to office.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the 18 LG chairmen and their deputies were restored back to office by a State High Court sitting in Benin, capital of the State.
Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, who presided over the case, issued a mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to restore the claimants to their respective offices.
Joined in the case as defendants are the Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Edo State Government, the attorney-general and the accountant-general.
Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly had passed a resolution suspending chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local governments in the state for two months for alleged insubordination and gross misconduct.
The suspension followed a petition written by the Governor, Monday Okpebholo to the House over the refusal of the chairmen to submit their financial records as directed.
Okpebholo had on Dec. 3, 2024 given the council chairmen 48 hours to submit their statements of account from September 2023 to date to the Edo State Assets Verification Committee.
In the letter, the governor described their action as an act of insubordination and gross misconduct and requested the House to look into the matter.
Subsequently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited the suspended chairmen of the 18 local governments in Edo to its office for interrogation.
The invitation was contained in a letter by EFFC Director of Investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol and addressed to the Secretary to the State Government.
Granting the mandatory injunction, Justice Ikponmwonba ruled that the status quo as of December 12, 2024, must be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The court further restrained the defendants from acting on the resolution passed by the state House of Assembly suspending the chairmen and their deputies.
“The court orders a mandatory injunction compelling the defendant by themselves, their privies, servants, agents, however named or described, to restore the chairmen and vice chairmen of their respective local government councils,” the judge ruled.
TNG reports the case was adjourned to February 17, 2025, for a hearing, with the court directing that hearing notices be issued to the defendants.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the victory of Gov. Monday Okpebholo.
The APC, in a motion, argued by its counsel, Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, on Wednesday, described the PDP petition as incompetent.
Orbih told the three man panel, sitting in Benin that the PDP’s petition was not filed in accordance with the extant law. Besides, he said the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
According to Orbih, further grounds for seeking the dismissal of the petition are contained in the motion paper dated Nov. 30, and supported by a seven paragraph affidavit.
In its counter-argument, the PDP through its counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, urged the tribunal to discountenance the submission of the APC.
Mozia explained that the PDP had filed a reply and counter-affidavit to challenge the APC’s motion.
The tribunal’s chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, however, reserved ruling on the motion until the final day of the case.
In another motion, APC asked the tribunal to strike out some paragraphs in the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate in the election, Dr Asue Ighodalo.
While arguing the application, Orbih urged the tribunal to deliver its ruling on the motion before it commenced hearing into the petition.
The PDP’s counsel, however, countered the application, urging the tribunal to dismiss the APC’s motion for lack of merit.
Justice Kpochi, however, discountenanced the argument of the APC, saying rulings on all preliminary motions would be delivered on the final judgement day.
Earlier, the PDP had also moved four different motions, calling on the tribunal to expunge various paragraphs in the replies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and Okpebholo to its petition.
At the end, the tribunal adjourned to Dec. 21 for the parties in the case to file a common proposal that would guide the tribunal during the hearing.
The PDP is challenging the declaration of Okpebholo as winner of the Sept. 21 election by the INEC. INEC said Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat PDP’s Ighodalo, who recorded 247,274 votes.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has assured that his administration will make 2025 a better year for the people, through practical and good governance in the State.
Okpebholo gave the assurance during 2024 Nine Lessons and Carol organised by the State House of Assembly on Wednesday in Benin.
Okpebholo, who joined the 24 members and staff of the assembly in a melodious tune, thanked God for his blessings upon the state and prayed for love and unity of the state as it progresses into 2025.
“God has been good to us in the state. As the year is coming to an end, we will not end with the year, but see the end of it and together we shall all enter 2025, praying for more blessings,” the governor said.
The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, during the Nine Lessons and Carol service, expressed profound gratitude to God for the gift of life and His countless blessings throughout the year.
Agbebaku acknowledged the challenges faced but emphasised the faithfulness of God in preserving and guiding everyone through them.
The Deputy speaker, Maria Oligbi-Edeko, in her heartfelt prayer, asked for God’s continued protection, wisdom, and grace in the coming year, urging everyone to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in God.
Oligbi-Edeko also highlighted the significance of the season as a time to reflect on God’s love, share joy, and spread hope.
The high point of the Carol was the rendition of different melodious tunes by the EDHA choir and El-Excess Choral choir to the delight of everyone present.
Former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has revealed he expressed concerns when Governor Monday Okpebholo picked his son, Cyril for appointment as Commissioner in the State.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Oshiomhole to have said he could not stopped him, like he stopped him when he wanted to go for the House of Reps when he was governor, because his son is already of adult age.
Recall that Governor Okpebholo in November appointed Cyril as Health Commissioner hours after he was sworn in as governor. The appointment generated criticisms from persons who described it as state capture and a reward for Oshiomhole’s support for the governor’s election.
However, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, the lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District insisted that his son is qualified to be the Commissioner for Health in Edo State.
Oshiomhole, when asked if he was grooming his son for the future with the appointment, said: “He doesn’t work under me. Maybe Governor Monday is grooming him.
“When I was in Edo, I stopped him when he wanted to go for the House of Reps. I said no and supported another guy. The second time he wanted to try, I said no.
“This time the governor decided to pick him. He is qualified. I did express my concerns when I heard. I called him and expressed my concerns.
“I expressed those concerns to the governor that people might say this and that. Those were the reasons why I stopped him from contesting elections when I was in office.
“But then I have to accept that in the world that we live in, you can only do so much to control your son but not when he is already of adult age.
“The point must be made: I invested in my children’s education. I didn’t want them to go through what I went through.
“So, Dr Cyril is not just a medical doctor from ABU (Ahmadu Bello University), he went to do post-graduate in two universities in the US, including Harvard and another university in Louisiana. He does something about public health.
“So, he is not having it because he is Oshiomhole; I will say he is having it in spite of being Oshiomhole,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) has been called upon to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacant seat of Edo Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Edo Central Senatorial District seat became vacant after Senator Monday Okpebholo was elected and sworn in as the Governor of Edo State.
Okpebholo was a member of the 10th Senate, until his election as Governor of Edo, on September 21, 2024.
Calling on INEC to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacant seat in the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio earlier declared the Edo Central senatorial seat vacant.
Senator Akpabio declared the Edo Central senatorial seat vacant at a valedictory session held for Senator Okpebholo.
“In line with the Constitution, the seat of Edo Central Senatorial District is, hereby, declared vacant and INEC is, accordingly, invited to conduct fresh election to fill the seat left by Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President went on to urge Senator Okpebholo to keep up with his legacy of good works as he carried out his duties as the Governor of Edo State.
Speaking at the valedictory session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo) described Okpebholo as a humble, resourceful, committed and intelligent man.
“We’re happy that in 30 days, Edo people are aware that there is a new governor in town,humble, resourceful, committed, intelligent, few words but maximum action,” he said.
Senator Danjuma Goje (APC-Gombe) described Okpebholo as a man of good character, honest and a committed Nigerian.
Goje advised the Edo governor to continue with his good traits, adding that his good disposition was a great asset for the state.
Reacting, Okpebholo said his involvements in the legislative session was to drive good governance, especially in infrastructure development, security, education, health,among others.
The Governor, who described the plenary as emotional one for him, expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, especially those who stood by him during his campaign period.
“Distinguished colleagues, this is quite emotional for me. From the moment I joined the 10th Senate in June, 2023.
”Every moment at the red Chamber has remained memorable. We saw ourselves as forerunners of democracy and we wanted the best for the nation. Thank you for standing by me through out the campaign exercise,” he said.
The senator representing Edo North Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has said the people of Edo State are happy with their new Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Oshiomhole, who is a former Governor of the State, said this on Wednesday during a Senate’s valedictory session for Okpebholo.
“I am sure we all can say one thing about Distinguished Senator Monday. I have never met a man as humble as Distinguished Senator Monday. His humility is infectious.
“Even as we say he is a man of few words, he make up for that through action and sustained action in a manner that is clear and discernible.
“We in Edo State, we are so happy. I can go home now without fear and in one month, he has gone in history as one of the first governors who under one week started making appointments of men and women who will help to shape the economy and the social life of Edo people.
“He has already taken bold steps to restore respect to the traditional institution in Edo State. He has already started doing those things that will affect the infrastructural development of our great State that has been abandoned for many years,” Oshiomhole said.
Jareth Tenebe, the Edo State All Progressive Congress (APC), has responded to those mocking Monday Okphebolo, the Edo State governor who was seen struggling to pronounce N605billion while presenting the 2025 Budget to the Edo State House of Assembly.
TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday struggled to pronounce the figures for the state’s 2025 budget, titled “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo.”
The governor stuttered severally as he tried to pronounce N605 billion for the 2025 fiscal year at the Edo State House of Assembly.
“It’s confusing me,” Okpebholo said, causing noise among state lawmakers.
However, the speaker of the assembly called for order.
Reacting, the APC chairman via his Facebook page on Tuesday night noted that Okphebolo is not a thief, reason he found it very difficult to pronounce such a figure. He added that the governor’s mistake should tell the people how original and innocent he is.
He said: “Social media has been agog with the mistake of our governor’s pronouncing the six hundred billion budget presentation. It is a regular thing. Zulman made such a mistake. I don’t know the figures, myself. That is how to know original and innocent people. Obaseki will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions. Monday is not a thief and is not familiar with such figures. He’s our governor and performing. Anybody who doesn’t like his face should go to hell and burn to ashes.”