Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has picked 37-year-old Omobayo Godwins as his deputy, hours after the impeachment of Philip Shaibu.
Omobayo’s inauguration is also set to take place on Monday at the Edo State Government House in Benin City.
Already, friends and well-wishers have gathered at the inauguration venue for the swearing-in ceremony.
THE WITNESS reports that Omobayo replaced Philip Shaibu, who was earlier impeached by the State House of Assembly on Monday morning.
Shaibu was impeached by the House of Assembly after the adoption of the report of the Justice S. A. Omonua (rtd)-led impeachment panel.
The panel was set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State to investigate allegations of misconduct and perjury against Shaibu.
Eighteen out of the 20 lawmakers that attended the plenary on Monday, April 8, 2024 voted in favour of the impeachment while one voted against.
In the report, the seven-man panel found the former deputy governor guilty of leaking government official secrets. But he was not found guilty of the allegation of perjury.
Following the impeachment, Obaseki immediately swore-in Omobayo to replace Shaibu.
Omobayo hails from Akoko-Edo Local Government Area in the same Edo North Senatorial District, where the impeached deputy governor came from.
Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo is said to be a “seasoned engineer with a proven track record of progressive professional experience in the oil and gas sector”.
His profile showed that he has a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Msc in Public Administration from the University of Benin, UNIBEN.
He is a registered member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN.
He serves as a Senior Maintenance Engineer in Dresser Wayne West Africa Limited, cutting his professional teeth in the operations in the South South area.
The new deputy governor is said to be active in politics in his local government area.
