By Nudoiba Ojen
The impeached deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has said that his impeachment by the state House of Assembly earlier on Monday is illegal and a threat to the nation’s democracy.
This came as the governor, Godwin Obaseki, named a member of the Labour Party, 37 years old Godwin Omobayo, as the new deputy ahead inauguration on Monday
In a reaction via a video shared on his X account, Shaibu denounced the impeachment, saying, “It is with heavy heart yet a resolute spirit that I come before you to address the recent events that have unfolded within our dear state.
“I denounce in strongest terms the illegal impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly over trumped-up charges, this is not just an attack on me as an individual but on the very democratic principles that we hold dear.
“It’s a dangerous descent into dictatorship, a threat to the foundation of our democracy. Let it be clear that this impeachment was hatched because of my ambition to contest the Edo Governorship election 2024 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” Shaubu said.
However, Governor Obaseki’s appointment of Omobayo as new deputy followed the impeachment of Comrade Philip Shaibu as Edo Stars Deputy Governor on Monday.
Omobayo’s inauguration is scheduled to take place on Monday at the Edo State Government House in Benin City.
Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo hails from Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state.
The 38-year-old has a B.Eng Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and an MSc in Public Administration from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), preparing for the role of 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).
Before his new appointment, he served as a Senior Maintenance Engineer at 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.
Omobayo has also been active in politics in his local government, building bridges of trust with the people and mobilising them for common causes, and breaking political barriers to the chagrin of his opponents.
