Following the removal of Comrade Philip Shaibu by the Edo State House of Assembly, Governor Godwin Obaseki has appointed Omobayo Marvellous Godwins, a 38-year-old Engineer, as his deputy.
Speaking after Governor Obaseki inaugurated him in Benin on Monday, Omobayo quoted Obaseki as saying that the decision to make him his deputy came from God.
He said: “Why me? This was the million naira question l asked His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, when he gave me the surprise invitation for a dialogue about this job a couple of days ago.
“His answer was simple and direct: ‘God!’ He elaborated further: ‘I looked through my history books and discovered that Akoko-Edo has never served in this capacity. I talked to a few key leaders from Akoko-Edo across party lines, and all fingers pointed at you. The ultimate decision, however, came from God, and l could not say no.’ These were the words of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, my namesake. A tale of two Godwins, you may say.
“Even though l was dumbfounded, l also could not say no for several reasons. First, my people of Akoko-Edo would never have forgiven me if l had messed up the only chance God, history and ripe time has given them since creation.
“Second, my mind went straight to the book of Romans in the Bible. In Chapter 9, Verses 15 and 16, God said to Moses: ‘I will show mercy to anyone l choose, and l will show compassion to anyone l choose.’ So, it is God who decides to show mercy and uplift one. We can neither choose it nor work for it.
“I also recall Psalm 75, verses 6 and 7, which says: ‘For promotion cometh neither from the East, nor from the East, nor from the South. But the Lord is the Judge,’ who transfers or reshuffles one and elevates another.”
Omobayo Profile
According to a profile of the new deputy governor released by the Edo government, Omobayo was born on July 19, 1986, in Akoko, Edo Local Government Area of the state.
“He is a seasoned Engineer with a proven track record of progressive professional experience in the oil and gas sector.”
“With a B.Eng Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and MSc in Public Administration from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), he is well suited for the role as a professional and an expert in public administration.
“He is a registered member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
“A thorough-bred young professional, 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, 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, breaking political barriers to the chagrin of his opponents,” the profile read.
If confirmed by the assembly, Omobayo would spend the remaining months in office with Obaseki.
Shaibu, the former deputy governor, was elected alongside Obaseki in 2016. Both sought reelection and won in 2020 despite leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, Shaibu fell out with the governor after bidding to succeed him.
