Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central, has condemned those criticizing Edo State Governor Monday Okpegholo over his struggle to pronounce some figures.

Okpebholo faced a moment of embarrassment on Tuesday, December 10, while presenting the estimated budget for the 2025 fiscal year at the State House of Assembly.

In a one-minute, 17-second video, Okpebholo was seen stuttering while unveiling the appropriation bill as he tried to pronounce the N605 billion mark. He also went on to apologise for his inability.

Okpebholo said, “The Edo State Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million… Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me."

However, the Edo APC chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, slammed those criticizing the governor for his gaffe, describing him as honest and unfamiliar with figures.

Reacting to the development, Sani defended Okpebholo and stated that the manner in which Okpebholo mispronounced the figures showed his innocence, adding that counting money can also be challenging.

Sani tweeted, "Leave Edo Governor alone. Even counting money is not easy these days. It shows how innocent he is, abeg."