The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has credited the late Daniel Orbih, former national vice-chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with playing a crucial role in his emergence as governor of Rivers State in 2015.
Gatekeepers News reports that Wike spoke on Wednesday at a night of tributes held in honour of Orbih, who, according to the report, died on August 31, 2027, aged 64.
The minister said Orbih remained committed to his governorship ambition despite pressure and financial inducements from political opponents seeking to persuade him to withdraw his support ahead of the 2015 election.
Wike recalled that even the then governor of Rivers State made efforts to win Orbih over but failed to change his position.
“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,” he said.
“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.’”
Wike said Orbih, who served as the PDP national vice-chairman for the South-South, also supported his campaign by donating two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses and mobilising political backing across the region.
He described the late politician as a loyal ally who never sought personal favours from him throughout his eight years as governor of Rivers State.
“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.
The FCT minister added that Orbih wielded considerable political influence, helping several lawmakers secure elective positions while promoting political collaboration and development in Edo State.
In recognition of his contributions to politics and public service, Wike called for a state burial for the late PDP chieftain.
Also speaking at the tribute, Magnus Abe, chairman of the board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said Orbih introduced him to politics and played a significant role in his early political career.
“I was the director-general of his first campaign in the United Nigeria Congress Party, when he ran for governor and I went everywhere in Edo with him,” Abe said.
Abe described Orbih as “a bridge builder par excellence”, adding that his life and political engagements had positively influenced many people.
Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North and former governor of Edo State, also paid tribute to Orbih, saying the late politician helped him become a better governor despite their political differences.
“So my happiness today is that Dan and I, whatever political differences we might have had, the truth is, Dan made me a better governor,” Oshiomhole said.
He explained that Orbih’s role as an opposition figure often prompted him to reflect on how his decisions would be viewed by political opponents before implementing them as governor.
Oshiomhole also thanked Wike for facilitating their reconciliation after years of political disagreements.
Similarly, Sandy Onor, the PDP presidential candidate, described Orbih as “a profound public intellectual, a quintessential lover of Edo people, a defender of Edo heritage, a Nigerian patriot and a social colossus”.
The tributes highlighted Orbih’s political influence, loyalty to his allies and contributions to public life in Edo State and beyond.
