Cobhams Asuquo, the Nigerian singer, has expressed his concern and disappointment over Edo governor Monday Okpebholo‘s struggles to read the state’s 2025 budget.
A video of the presentation, which has gone viral on social media, shows Okpebholo stumbling over figures and appearing visibly flustered.
“The Edo state Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” Okpebholo began, his hands unsteady and voice quivering in the rarefied assembly.
“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me.”
Asuquo took to Instagram to express his dismay and disappointment at the spectacle, describing it as “deeply troubling”.
He questioned the wisdom behind the appointment of Okpebholo, given the plethora of talented and competent individuals in Edo.
“To be clear, some of the most brilliant Nigerian minds I have encountered are from Edo State,” he wrote.
“So this begs the question, is it that we’re not ready to tell ourselves the truth, or that we don’t want progress as much as we claim to?
“Some choices may be foisted on us but is that to remain our lot? What does governance mean to us; all of us – the governed and the governor?
“I’m really confused this hot afternoon. This is bad. Very, very bad. There got to be a way out.”