During a session at the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, Governor Monday Okpebholo, faced an unusual challenge as he struggled to pronounce the figures for the state’s 2025 budget.
A video capturing the governor’s stuttering attempt has gone viral on social media, eliciting various reactions across the country.
Governor Okpebholo presented an estimated N605 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year on Tuesday. Titled the “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” the budget represents a 25 percent increase over the 2024 budget.
While unveiling the Appropriation Bill, Governor Okpebholo was visibly affected as he struggled to pronounce the N605 billion figure, but he continued with his presentation despite the hiccup.
The governor detailed that 37 percent of the budget, amounting to N223 billion, would be earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while the remaining N381 billion (63 per cent) would be allocated to capital projects.
“This budget is a product of extensive consultations and embodies my administration’s commitment to achieving its five-point agenda: security, infrastructural development, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education,” Okpebholo stated.
Among the key priorities highlighted by the governor was the allocation of N162 billion for road infrastructure projects.
