Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed the 2025 Appropriation Bill, amounting to N675.2 billion, into law.
The budget, themed ‘Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo’, is targeted at rejuvenating the state’s economy to deliver democratic dividends to its citizens.
The signing ceremony, held at the Government House in Benin City on Monday, followed the passage of the bill by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Governor Okpebholo described the budget as a vital tool for economic revival, highlighting its strong focus on capital expenditure.
“I have just signed into law a budget of N675,220,058,858.52, tagged ‘A Renewed Hope Budget for a Rising Edo.’ This 2025 approved budget is expected to revive the economy of Edo State and deliver the dividends of democracy to the good people of the state,” the Governor stated.
He commended the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and other lawmakers for their commitment to the budgetary process.
During the budget presentation, Speaker Agbebaku had disclosed that the Assembly had increased the budget from its initial N605 billion to N675 billion to allocate additional funds to critical sectors, including agriculture.
Governor Okpebholo assured citizens that his administration is dedicated to implementing massive capital projects in 2025, aligning with the budget’s vision of building a rising and prosperous Edo State.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assured the people of the State that 2025 will be a year of progress and prosperity through practical and good governance.

Governor Okpebholo made this promise during the Nine Lessons and Carol Service organized by the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) on Sunday.
Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua in a statement indicated that the event held in the hallowed chambers of the Assembly and attended by all 24 Honourable Members and staff was hosted by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Governor expressed gratitude to God for His blessings on Edo State and prayed for continued unity, love, and progress as the year 2024 comes to an end.

“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,” Okpebholo declared.

The event featured a lively rendition of Christmas carols by the EDHA Choir and the El-Excess Choral Choir, creating an atmosphere of joy and celebration.
Santa Claus also made an appearance, entertaining the audience and adding a festive touch to the gathering.

The Governor joined the Assembly members and staff in singing melodious tunes, emphasizing unity and optimism for the new year.

The carol service, a significant tradition, underscores the shared commitment of the government and legislature to fostering harmony and a hopeful outlook for the people of Edo State.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has publicly defended Governor Monday Okpebholo after he was ridiculed for a mistake during his budget presentation for the 2025 fiscal year.
On Tuesday, December 10, Okpebholo presented the state’s 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Edo State House of Assembly. However, the presentation was marred by the governor’s repeated struggles to accurately state the total budget amount.
In a now-viral video, Okpebholo was seen flustered as he stumbled over figures, initially stating the budget as “6 billion…650…605 billion,” before apologizing and attempting to correct himself. He repeatedly said, “Let me take it again,” as he struggled to announce the correct total, which was ultimately identified as 506 billion, 605 billion, or 776 billion.
The viral clip quickly spread on social media, leading to widespread criticism of the governor’s performance, with many questioning his ability to manage the state’s finances effectively.
In response to the backlash, Jarrett Tenebe defended the governor, describing the incident as a natural human mistake. In a video shared by Edo Updates on X.com (formerly Twitter), Tenebe stated, “Humans make such mistakes, and a lot of people make such mistakes.” He downplayed the significance of the error, calling it a normal part of public speaking and presentation.
Tenebe also sought to shift the focus away from the blunder by emphasizing Okpebholo’s integrity. He contrasted the governor with previous leaders in the state, suggesting that Okpebholo’s commitment to transparency and honesty was evident in his leadership. Tenebe concluded, “The governor’s slip-up is nothing compared to the corruption of past leaders.”
Despite the criticism, the governor’s supporters have rallied around the notion that such errors should not overshadow his achievements in office, arguing that his intentions and dedication to serving the state remain clear.