A tense situation unfolded in Edo State after the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe, reportedly threatened a critic of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s budget presentation.
The APC chairman’s outburst followed critical comments made by Pharez Okpere, who pointed out Governor Okpebholo’s struggle to pronounce figures during his presentation of a N605 billion budget estimate to the state assembly on Tuesday.
Okpere’s remarks focused on the governor’s difficulty in correctly stating the figures, which he said reflected poorly on the leadership of the state.
But Tenebe’s response was swift and dramatic. In a post on social media, the APC chairman issued a chilling warning to Okpere.
“Some people will have to excuse us from Edo now, and if they refuse, they will be forced out,” Tenebe wrote. “We may start with you.”
This threat has sparked widespread outrage among residents and political observers in the state. Many have called for Tenebe’s immediate resignation as APC chairman, while others have demanded that Nigerian security agencies take action to investigate the threatening comments.
Critics say the remarks are a clear attack on freedom of speech and democratic values. They argue that no one should be intimidated or silenced for speaking out against government officials, no matter their position.
The controversy began during the governor’s presentation of the 2025 state budget. While delivering the speech, Okpebholo seemed to struggle with reading the figures, a moment that did not go unnoticed by Okpere.
“People are beginning to talk about it,” Okpere commented in his post. “The governor struggled with numbers in front of the state assembly. It’s embarrassing.”
However, Tenebe did not take kindly to Okpere’s criticism. The APC chairman came to the defense of Governor Okpebholo, dismissing the errors as insignificant.
Speaking in a video shared on social media, Tenebe defended the governor’s blunder, claiming that it was a minor mistake. According to Tenebe, the governor’s struggle with numbers was proof that he was an honest man who had never stolen from the state.
He said, “Yes. It’s been all over social media. People are talking about the governor’s budget mistake, about a figure of 650 billion, and the rest of it. It’s a normal thing. Some have made such mistakes before.”
He went on to make an astonishing comparison, suggesting that other politicians who had made similar errors in the past were somehow less trustworthy.
“I don’t know figures. You see, that’s how you know the difference between people who are original and innocent,” Tenebe said. “Obaseki would never make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before. Asue Ighodalo would never make that mistake because he has stolen billions before.”
According to Tenebe, the error was proof of Okpebholo’s integrity, as he has never been involved in corruption. He added, “Monday is not a thief, so he’s not familiar with figures.”
In a fiery conclusion, Tenebe told critics to stop talking and accept the governor’s leadership.
“He’s the governor of the state, and he’ll continue to perform. Anybody who does not like his face should go to hell and burn to ashes, period. Thank you,” Tenebe declared.
The outburst has only fueled the already tense political atmosphere in Edo State. Supporters of the APC, as well as government loyalists, have backed Tenebe’s remarks, claiming that the criticism of Okpebholo was unjustified and politically motivated.
On the other hand, opposition figures have been vocal in condemning both Tenebe’s threats and the governor’s performance. Many see the comments as an attempt to shut down legitimate debate and dissent.
Edo State has long been a battleground for political power struggles, with Okpebholo’s administration facing challenges on various fronts. While the governor has made efforts to improve infrastructure and governance, critics argue that his leadership is marked by inefficiency and poor decision-making, as evidenced by the embarrassing budget presentation.
