On Wednesday, the Senate officially declared the Senate seat of Governor Monday Okpebholo vacant.

The decision follows his election and subsequent inauguration as the Governor of Edo State last month, which rendered his position as the representative of the Edo Central Senatorial District vacant.

The Senate also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to arrange for a bye-election to fill the vacant seat.

The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who led a valedictory session honoring Okpebholo.

Akpabio praised the Governor for his contributions to the Senate and encouraged him to continue building on his legacy as he undertakes his new role as governor of Edo State.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has come to the defense of Governor Monday Okpebholo following criticism over a mistake made during the presentation of the state’s budget estimate at the House of Assembly.

Tenebe, in a video posted on social media, stated, “No one is above mistake,” in response to the backlash that ensued after the governor’s gaffe on Tuesday.

Tenebe explained that even prominent world leaders, such as former South African president Jacob Zuma, had faced challenges with reading large figures.

He further added, “Governor Okpebholo was not familiar with figures because he has never embezzled public funds.”

The controversy arose when Governor Okpebholo struggled to read out the total amount of the state’s budget during his address at the State House of Assembly.

The budget, totaling N605.7 billion, was presented only in figures, making it difficult for the governor to pronounce the sum correctly.

After several unsuccessful attempts, the governor remarked, “Sorry, it’s confusing me,” prompting laughter from the Assembly.

Following the governor’s comment, Speaker of the House, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, intervened by calling for order and then asked the governor to come forward and officially submit the budget estimate to the Assembly.

The incident quickly became a topic of discussion on social media, with many users offering various opinions on the matter.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on Tuesday presented a N750.28 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year to the Abia State House of Assembly.

The budget includes N611.7 billion (82%) for capital expenditures and N138.6 billion (18%) for recurrent expenditures, marking a 30% increase from the previous year’s budget of N523 billion.

Presenting the budget, dubbed the “Budget of Sustained Momentum,” Governor Otti acknowledged the challenges posed by inflation and exchange rate instability but reaffirmed his government’s commitment to delivering on its promises.

He highlighted achievements from the 2024 fiscal year and outlined plans for further progress in 2025.

Key allocations include N13 billion for establishing agro-industrial processing zones in Bende, Ukwa, and Umunneochi local governments, and N55 billion for ongoing and new road projects across all 17 local government areas, including the construction of 170 kilometers of rural roads.

Additionally, N4 billion is set aside for the revamping of the Umuahia Regional Water Scheme’s 47km pipeline.

The health and education sectors will receive a combined 35% of the budget, with 15% allocated to health and 20% to education.

Governor Otti also shared projections for a 213% increase in the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) to N100.6 billion, along with significant rises in statutory allocations, grants, and VAT collections.

The state plans to finance 51% of the budget, approximately N364.1 billion, through domestic and multilateral borrowing.

Governor Otti assured that no borrowing has been undertaken so far for the 2024 fiscal year, with steps taken to pay off previous debts.

He emphasized that any future borrowing would be strictly for project financing and would not be used for recurrent expenditure.

In his response, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, praised the governor’s budget presentation, stating that it would continue to drive infrastructure development in the state.

He also expressed the Assembly’s full support for the 2025 budget’s implementation.