Engr. Marvellous Godwin Omobayo has been sworn as Edo State Deputy Governor. He replaced Comrade Philip Shaibu, who was impeached by the state House of Assembly earlier on Monday on grounds of gross misconduct.
One of early reactions was by a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oredo, Martins Onaivi described Omobayo’s choice as a “fine decision in that it satisfied the need to ensure Edo North was not left out of the political equation”.
Born 19th July 1986, Omobayo hails from Akoko Edo Local Government Area.
He was sworn in by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
In his inaugural speech, 38-year-old Omobayo thanked his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of the PDP for finding him worthy of the appointment.
Stakeholders praised Obaseki for hitting three strategic political targets at the same time with the appointment of the young engineer.
Onaivi commneded Obaseki for his choice of Omobayo as his deputy.
Onaivi said in Benin City, the state capital, that it was a fine decision in that it satisfied the need to ensure Edo North was not left out of the political equation.
“The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has made a fantastic choice. The youths are happy, they are excited and I can tell you that bringing one of them on board as the new deputy governor shows that the governor has immense respect for the youths in the state and their ability to get things done.
“Apart from the youth angle, the new deputy governor will be coming into office with his political base as an Obidient and that means there is a marriage between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Obidient. This means Edo is moving towards a new era in political alignment. He contested as the candidate of the Labour Party for Akoko Edo Federal Constituency under the Labour Party. And I can tell you that it bode well for the growth and development of the state.
“The third thing is that with the choice of Omobayo, Edo North as a geo-political zone has not been short-changed in the scheme of things. The former deputy governor is from Edo North and the new deputy governor is also from the same senatorial district. Yes, local governments may be different but the important thing is that the senatorial district still retains the position of the deputy governor of the state”.
Another stakeholder, Stanley Emone echoed the same sentiments. He said Obaseki got it absolutely right. He advised the new deputy governor not to allow the power of his new office to intoxicate him.
“Engr Omobayo Godwin, the new deputy governor, must learn from the mistake of the former deputy governor. He must not be intoxicated by the powers of the office”, he advised.
Omobayo is an engineer with a proven track record of progressive professional experience in the oil and gas sector.
He got a B. Eng degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and M. Sc in Public Administration from the University of Benin.
He is a registered member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.
Omobayo has also been active in politics in his local government, building bridges of trust with the people and mobilising them for common causes, breaking political barriers to the chagrin of his opponents.
