The Edo State House of Assembly has approved a budget of N676 billion for the state government’s expenditures in the 2025 fiscal year.
This decision comes amidst ongoing controversy regarding the suspension of elected local government executives by the assembly.
The budget was passed during a plenary session on Monday, reflecting an increase of N72 billion over the original proposal of N605 billion presented by Governor Monday Okpebholo on December 10, 2024.
The approval followed the presentation of reports by the House’s Standing Committee on Appropriation, Budget and Project Monitoring. Sunday Fada, the committee’s chairman, clarified that this budgetary increase was essential for the governor to realise his five-point agenda.
Fada, who represents the Esan Central constituency, noted that the recurrent expenditure was revised upward from N223 billion to N225 billion. In addition, capital expenditure saw an increase from N381 billion to N451 billion.
The House Committee on Supply also examined the budget estimates, endorsing the rise from the initial N605 billion to N676 billion.
Governor Okpebholo’s budget estimates for 2025, titled “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” were submitted to the State House of Assembly on December 10.
Both the governor and the state assembly have faced public scrutiny over the suspension of local government chairmen and their deputies.
The controversy commenced when Governor Okpebholo issued a 48-hour ultimatum, requiring council chairmen to submit their financial reports directly to him. The chairmen interpreted this order as an infringement on their financial autonomy, as established by the Supreme Court.
In response to their refusal, the governor petitioned the state assembly to suspend the chairmen, citing “gross misconduct” under Section 10(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law (2000).
