Omobayo, 38, steps in as Edo Deputy Gov

…As AAC alleges ‘due process not followed,’ condemns impeachment

Omobayo, 38, steps in as Edo Deputy Gov Godwin, 37, appointed by Governor Godwin Obaseki immediately after the impeachment of Philip Shaibu on Monday has been sworn in.

The 38-year-old who has a B.Eng. Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and an MSc in Public Administration from the University of Benin, UNIBEN, was sworn in by Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

Godwins is a registered member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN.

Before his new appointment, he served as a Senior Maintenance Engineer at Dresser Wayne West Africa Limited. He cut his professional teeth in the operations in the South-South area, providing top-notch services and growing the business in the region.

He has also been active in politics in his local government, building bridges of trust with the people and mobilising them for common causes. Omobayo has been said to break political barriers to the chagrin of his opponents.

Recall the Edo State House of Assembly, on Monday, impeached the embattled deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the Assembly to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.

The impeachment proceedings culminated in a dramatic vote that saw Shaibu ousted from his position. The proceedings were initiated earlier this week. A few hours later, Omobayo Godwins was sworn in to replace Shaibu.

Reacting against his impeachment Philip Shaibu, in a video on his X platform, opined: “It is with heavy heart yet a resolute spirit that I come before you to address the recent events that have unfolded within our dear state.

“I denounce in strongest terms the illegal impeachment by the Edo state House of Assembly over trumped-up charges. This is not just an attack on me as an individual but on the very democratic principles that we hold dear.

“It’s a dangerous descent into dictatorship, a threat to the foundation of our democracy. Let it be clear that this impeachment was hatched because of my ambition to contest the Edo governorship election 2024 under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.”

Meanwhile, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Dr. Udoh Oberaifo, on Monday, condemned in strong terms the impeachment of deputy governor Philip Shaibu by the Edo House of Assembly.

In a statement in Benin, Oberaifo said regardless of the charges levelled against Shaibu, due process was not followed.

Oberaifo who noted that Shaibu was not given a fair hearing and described the impeachment as a blatant disregard of the principles of justice.

“Of particular concern is the fact that the impeachment proceeded despite a pending case filed by the deputy governor at the Federal High court.

“This legal action should have warranted a status quo, yet the impeachment was carried out regardless, casting doubts on the motives behind the hurried proceedings,” he said .

The AAC candidate raised the alarm over the connection between the Labour Party (LP) and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

He alleged that the new deputy governor was a card-carrying member of LP, and was yet to resign his membership as at the time he was sworn in.

“This action is in clear violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and it underscores the connivance between the LP and PDP to consolidate power,” he added.

He condemned the display of political maneuvering and warned against godfatherism that has permeated Edo politics.

He urges the people of Edo state to reject the PDP and LP at the polls, come September 2024, and embrace the AAC as a viable alternative.

Oberaifo called on all Edo people to rally behind the AAC, embrace its programmes, visions, and manifestos, and cast their votes for him as the next governor of the state in September

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