By Miracle Ogunde
Marvellous Godwins Omobayo, the newly appointed deputy governor of Edo State, has revealed what Governor Obaseki told him concerning his appointment.
According to Omobayo, Obaseki said that his appointment was divine.
He further explained that the governor told him that his appointment was meant to open up the political terrain of the Akoko-Edo area of the state.
Speaking after his inauguration in Benin City on Monday, Omobayo said: “Why me? This was the million naira question I asked His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, when he gave me the surprise invitation for a dialogue about this job a couple of days ago.
“His answer was simple and direct: ‘God!’ He elaborated further: ‘I looked through my history books and discovered that Akoko-Edo has never served in this capacity. I talked to a few key leaders from Akoko-Edo, across party lines, and all fingers pointed at you.
“The ultimate decision, however, came from God, and I could not say no.’ These were the words of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, my namesake. A tale of two Godwins, you may say.
“Even though l was dumbfounded, l also could not say no for several reasons. First, my people of Akoko-Edo would never have forgiven me if l had messed up the only chance God, history and ripe time have given them since creation.
“Second, my mind went straight to the book of Romans in the Bible. In Chapter 9, verses 15 and 16, God said to Moses: ‘I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.’ So, it is God who decides to show mercy and uplift one. We can neither choose it nor work for it.
“I also recall Psalm 75, verses 6 and 7, which says: ‘For promotion cometh neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South. But the Lord is the Judge,’ who transfers or reshuffles one and elevates another.”
Omobayo’s appointment followed the impeachment of former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, by the Edo State House of Assembly.
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