Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has recalled how the late Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Daniel Orbih, stood by him despite pressure and inducements to withdraw his support for his 2015 Rivers State governorship ambition.
Wike said Orbih remained committed to his cause at a critical stage of the election, despite efforts by political opponents to sway him.
He spoke on Wednesday during a night of tributes held in Abuja in honour of Orbih, who died on August 31 at the age of 64.
“Today I am a Minister of the FCT; yesterday I was a governor. Who did God use for me to become governor? It was Dan,” Wike said.
According to Wike, Orbih faced significant pressure ahead of the election, including attempts to win him over with political and material incentives.
“There was nothing in this world that was not done to induce him. My governor then sent people to Dan, offered him everything in this world, but Dan stood firm and said, ‘No, I will not accept, I will not agree,’” he said.
Wike added that Orbih’s support extended beyond his public endorsement, revealing that the late politician provided two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses for his campaign’s security and assisted in mobilising political structures across the South-South.
However, the FCT minister said Orbih’s refusal to seek personal gains from their political relationship was what he valued most.
“Dan is not a typical Nigerian politician. Throughout my eight years as governor, he never came for one day — either by phone or coming to my house to say, ‘I need this contract.’ Never,” Wike said.
He described Orbih as a dependable politician whose loyalty remained evident during difficult periods, noting that commitment to friendship and support for others were values embedded in his family.
“The only way I can identify a politician that is reliable is when that politician has stood in times of crisis. Loyalty, commitment to friendship, and being a brother’s keeper run in Dan’s family,” Wike said.
Wike also highlighted Orbih’s role in shaping the political careers of several South-South politicians and promoting political reconciliation in Edo State.
He urged political stakeholders in Edo to honour the late politician with a state burial in recognition of his contributions to the state’s political development.
“I will continue to keep my relationship with Dan’s family. I think I will also discuss with the family on how to keep the legacies of Dan,” he said.
Former Edo State governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also paid tribute to Orbih, saying their political differences ultimately influenced him to become a more accountable governor.
Oshiomhole said Orbih’s position as an opposition leader often made him consider how the late politician and his supporters would assess his decisions before taking major actions.
“So my happiness today is that Dan and I, whatever our political differences we might have had, the truth is, Dan made me a better governor,” Oshiomhole said.
He recalled that Wike played a role in reconciling him with Orbih after their long-standing disagreement, noting that they began rebuilding their relationship at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt.
“It was right at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt that Dan and I started hugging,” Oshiomhole said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Magnus Abe, recalled Orbih’s influence on his political journey.
Abe said he served as the director-general of Orbih’s first governorship campaign under the United Nigeria Congress Party and travelled with him across Edo State.
“Dan was indeed a bridge builder par excellence. We are gathered here today not because Dan is dead. We are gathered because of the life that he lived and that life impacted all of us in so many different ways,” Abe said.
Former PDP presidential candidate Sandy Onor described Orbih as a public intellectual, defender of Edo heritage and Nigerian patriot.
“Dan was a great man by every measure, a true family man, a great husband, and a worthy father,” Onor said.
Orbih died on August 31 at the age of 64. He was a prominent Nigerian politician and businessman who served as the PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-South) and became the party’s longest-serving chairman in Edo State.
