By DADA AYOKHAI
The embattled Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu has been impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly.
The decision to impeach him was taken during the House plenary on Monday in Benin after the House adopted the report of the seven-member panel set up by the Edo State Chief Judge to investigate the allegations of misconduct levelled against him by the House.
The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, swiftly appointed Mr Godwin Omobayo as the new Deputy Governor following the impeachment of his predecessor, without any delay or waiting for the aftermath of the impeachment to settle.
While the Edolites were still awaiting the uniting of the PDP faction led by Chief Dan Orbih and Obaseki, the choice of Omobayo , and outsider to the party came as a shock to them.
Political Observers felt that the choice of Mr Omodayo as deputy governor may likely polarize and also expose the underbelly of the struggle for the control of the party in the state
Godwin Omobayo is a member of the Labour Party and its candidate during the last National Assembly election for the Akoko Edo federal constituency.
Although he lost the election to the incumbent,many believed he made a solid party considering the fact that he is a first timer and not a money bag.
There is no available record to show that he has defected from his former Party, Labour Party to the PDP before his appointment.
Some PDP members are not pleased with Omobayo’s selection, as they argued that there are competent and experienced PDP members in Akoko Edo and in Edo North senatorial district who could have been chosen instead.
A member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Etsako, Hon. Hassan Umoru, expressed sadness over the governor’s decision to appoint an outsider as the deputy governor instead of a capable replacement from within the party.
He further stated that if Omobayo’s appointment is allowed to stand, it would deprive other qualified and experienced individuals within the party of the opportunity to fill the void left by the impeachment of Hon. Shaibu.
The newly appointed deputy governor’s academic qualifications are impressive. He holds a Bachelor’s degree (B. Eng) in Electrical and Electronics, as well as an M. Sc in Public Administration from the University of Benin.
Omobayo was born on July 9, 1986, and hails from the Akoko Edo local government area of Edo State. At the age of thirty-eight, he appears ready for political leadership and can leverage his vast professional experience gained in the private sector to add value to his new role.
His professional excellence is further highlighted by his membership in both the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Omobayo was a senior maintenance engineer at Dresser Wayne West Africa Limited before his appointment. During his time there, he sharpened his engineering, management, and operational skills, particularly in the South-South region. He played a significant role in the company’s business success by providing excellent services and driving growth.
While he was occupied with laying the groundwork for his career, he remained active in politics, and his constituents trusted his abilities.
