Mamoth Crowd In Benin For Obaseki’s Swearing In As Edo Governor

SAN FRANCISCO, November 12, (THEWILL) – Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Saturday took the oath of office to become the fifth civilian governor of Edo State.

After taking the oath at about 12:20pm, Obaseki was sworn in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, amidst cheers and jubilation from a large crowd of supporters at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin.

The main bowl of the stadium was filled to capacity as well-wishers, associates, friends and family members thronged the stadium to witness the swearing in ceremony.

The Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu, earlier took his oath of office at about 12pm.

Among the dignitaries, who were at the event, which also marks the end of Adams Oshiomhole's two terms as governor of the state, was the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

Some others were Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Governors Mohammed Abdulahi Abubakar of Bauchi State; Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun; and the APC governorship candidate in Ondo, Rotimi Akeredoolu.

Also at the event were former military Head of State, Dr Yakubu Gowon, and a host of ministers such as that of the Ministry of Information and Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the September 29 gubernatorial election in Edo State, won the two-way contest with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winning most of the votes.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu of PDP came second in the votes collated and announced by INEC.

After collating the results across the state, INEC announced that APC won 13 of the state's 18 local government areas.

The newly-inaugurated governor, who is from Benin, attended the University of Ibadan as well as the Colombia University in the United States.

He started with Capital brokers in 1983. After traversing the financial market sector as chief executive in various categories, he joined the government of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Obaseki is the pioneer chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team which was inaugurated by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in March 2009.

For Phillip Shuaibu, he hails from Jattu in Estako West in Edo state.

The deputy governor attended the University of Jos for his first degree and earned his second degree from the University of Benin.

Before becoming a member of the House of Reps, he worked briefly with the Nigerian Prison Service.