Even Though I Was In Labour Party, I Have Been Looking At How I Will Pitch Tent With PDP’ -Omobayo Godwin

Omobayo Godwin, the new deputy governor of Edo State, has spoken out about his switch from the Labour Party to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), explaining that he did so as part of a calculated election strategy. In his remarks, he stressed how Edo North could be the deciding factor in the Edo 2024 election.

He explained his affiliation with the PDP as a means to increase his influence and election chances, capitalising on his immense popularity in this region. He went on to say that Akoko Edo has been on the outside looking in ever since the local government was established in 1963. His coalition with Governor Godwin Obaseki, he said, is a win for Akoko Edo’s citizens.

He said in an interview with Channels TV, ”Even though I was in the Labour Party, I have been looking at how I will pitch tent with the PDP. So as soon as they came to me, we looked at the figures together. Remember the game is a game of figures. And we saw that Edo North may be the deciding factor of the election.

And we have a big popularity there. And we said OK, let’s align together. Akoko Edo is in a critical situation, since 1963 when that local government was formed, we have never had a higher representative in government. The best was the Chief of Staff and it was through Godwin Obaseki. We seem to be marginalized. So the people of Akoko Edo see this as a victory for them. It’s like Obaseki has broken a lifetime generational curse.”

On Monday, Omobayo Godwin was sworn in as the new deputy governor of Edo State by Justice Daniel Okungbowa, who is the chief judge of Edo State. Governor Godwin Obaseki appointed Omobayo soon after Philip Shaibu was impeached.

Following the approval of the report of the seven-man investigating team appointed by the state Chief Judge to explore charges of misconduct against Philip Shaibu, the Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu. The government accused him of betraying its trust and of releasing classified information.