Is The Foxtrot Truly Over, Or There’s An Encore ? Edo Insists On Omobayo As Deputy Gov., Says ‘Bye, Shaibu’
The Oasis Reporters
July 18, 2024
‘Omobayo Marvellous Godwins Remains Edo State Deputy Governor’ – Govt
The current struggle between Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki and his erstwhile deputy, Philip Shaibu lends credence to the saying that political friendships are greasy, while the relationship between Governor Obaseki and his former mentor and benefactor, Senator Adams Oshiomole, tells people that there’s no last word between friends.
There are times for friends to remain friends and times for enemies to turn to friends and times for friends to become bitterest enemies.
When the story is told about the history of Adams Oshiomole who had a super loyal deputy that he ditched and picked an aide to be his successor, then gave his aide a deputy after his own heart for reasons Oshiomole did not disclose, the political watcher, would understand that in politics, one minute is a very long time.
While Obaseki took Shaibu as deputy governor, eventhough he understood why Oshiomole gave him his own native son, as a watcher because he, Oshiomole intended to be the godfather of Edo politics.
But trust Obaseki. He drew Philip Shaibu close to his own heart and turned the Oshiomole disciple into a super loyal deputy, such that while all over Nigeria governors were usually at loggerheads with their deputies, in Edo it was a different ballgame. The synergy was so fluid, so loving, so congenial that the relationship between them became the stuff of legends on how perfect political relationships could be.
So Shaibu saw himself as successor, believing that he and Obaseki had been through so much trials and tribulations through thick and thin that it was only natural that the governor would upset the set down political arrangement and make him a chosen successor.
Meanwhile Obaseki was at a corner secretly grinning while entertaining himself with dances of the antics of his deputy.
At the right time, he pulled out the ace card, reconciled with Oshiomole and ditched Shaibu.
After Shaibu’s abrupt impeachment, well he could go to court for all he cares. After all, there’s appeal after a victory and a loss. Then yet another appeal. By the time all of that would have been exhausted, another political cycle would have been in place.
That is the political saga of Edo State.
Here’s the concluding story from Edo State government media unit:
The Edo State Government has said the incumbent Deputy Governor of the State, Omobayo Marvellous Godwins remains and continues to serve as the valid deputy Governor of the State pending the hearing of the appeal of the judgement that faulted the impeachment of the erstwhile deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
L-R: Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Omobayo Marvellous Godwins; Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, during the swearing-in of Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as deputy governor, at the Government House, Benin City, on Monday, April 8, 2024. While the court saga is ongoing, Obaseki and Omobayo get busy with their remaining few months in office.
In a statement, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the State has filed a stay of execution on the judgement, urging the people of Edo State to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses.
The statement reads, “Following the Federal High Court, Abuja judgement that faulted the impeachment of the erstwhile deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, the Edo State Government has filed a stay of execution of the judgement.
“Pending the hearing of the appeal of the judgement, the incumbent Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Omobayo Marvellous Godwins remains and continues to serve as the valid Deputy Governor of Edo State.
“He will continue to serve in this capacity and would be recognized as such.”
Nehikhare charged, “The government hereby calls on the people of Edo State to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses.”
