Obaseki’s nominee, Omobayo, sworn in as new deputy hours after Shaibu’s impeachment

Governor Godwin of Edo State has picked 37-year-old Omobayo Godwin as his deputy, hours after the impeachment of Philip Shaibu, on Monday (today).

He was sworn in on Monday (today) by the state Chief Judge at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, shortly after the governor picked him.

Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo State, was impeached by the House of Assembly.

The lawmakers removed Shaibu, who has been having a running battle with Governor Godwin Obaseki, earlier on Monday (today).

Shaibu had refused to honour invitations extended to him by the seven-man panel which investigated allegations against him.

After his refusal, the panel led by Justice S.A. Omonua (ertd) wrote its report and recommended his removal, saying Shaibu declined the opportunity for defence.

Counsel for the former deputy governor, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, had withdrawn from participating in the proceedings after the panel ruled against his motion.

Awoyale had urged the panel to comply with a Federal High Court, Abuja that ordered the panel to show cause on why an interlocutory injunction to maintain status quo on the proceeding of the petition pending the determination of the case should not be granted to the plaintiff.

He, however, urged the panel to wait for the decision of the Federal High Court on the matter slated for April 8, 2024.

Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo hails from Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state.

The 37-year-old has a bachelor Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and an MSc 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.

Before his new appointment, he served as a Senior Maintenance Engineer at Dresser Wayne West Africa Limited.

He has also been active in politics in his local government.