Gov Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said that he never thought that before the end of his eight-year tenure, he would work with two deputy governors.
Governor Obaseki made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as his new deputy governor.
Omobayo replaced the former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, who was impeached by members of the Edo State House of Assembly on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Obaseki who quoted from the book of Proverb 16:9 noted that there was no vacuum in government, hence the appointment and swearing in of a new deputy governor.
According to him: “We have run a very interesting and eventful tenure since we took office in 2016 and gained your trust to continue on our mandate for another term in 2020, and at no point in this journey did I envisage that I will be having to work with two deputy governors before the end of my eight-year run in office.
“But as the Bible says in Proverb 16: 9: ‘You may make your plans, but it is God that directs your actions.
“As there cannot be a vacuum in government, we have by consensus selected Omobayo Marvellous to take over the baton as the new deputy governor of our dear state. ”
The governor, who opined that the legislative arm of government, had in the past few weeks, carried out their constitutional role, providing checks and balances in our democracy, noted: “Today, we have arrived at this difficult but inevitable juncture.”
Obaseki, who described his new deputy governor as a thoroughbred young professional, posited that his choice would provide the needed impetus to rally round all interests and persuasions within the state to work more closely together in realising the government’s vision for a viable, strong and prosperous state that will be the envy of all.
He explained that the 38-year-old, new deputy governor is a symbol of his administration’s undying belief in the power of youths to transform the State, bringing vigour and renewed energy to the drive to place young people at the centre of politics and developmental agenda.
While describing the new deputy governor as a man for the season, Governor Obaseki assured that he would be working with him in the last few months, as his administration make progress on its promises to finish strong for the benefit of the people of the state.
