Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has revealed how late Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Daniel Orbih, stood firm against intense political pressure and inducements to help him become governor of Rivers State.
Wike made the revelation on Wednesday at a night of tributes organised in Abuja in honour of Orbih, the former PDP National Vice Chairman, South South, who died on August 31 at the age of 64.
Speaking emotionally about his late political ally, Wike declared that Orbih was the man God used to open the door for his emergence as governor in 2015.
“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.
The FCT minister recalled the fierce political battle that preceded the 2015 Rivers governorship election, saying Orbih remained loyal to him despite what he described as enormous pressure from political opponents.
According to Wike, the then Rivers State governor sent emissaries to Orbih with offers intended to persuade him to withdraw his support.
“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 said Orbih did not stop at political support, revealing that the late PDP leader donated two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses to strengthen his security during the campaign and mobilised political structures across the South South for him.
But what appeared to have touched Wike most was Orbih’s refusal to seek personal rewards after helping him secure political power.
“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 rare politician whose loyalty was tested during difficult times and linked his commitment to his family upbringing.
“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.
The minister also credited Orbih with helping several politicians across the South South secure elective positions through his political influence and strategic interventions.
He described the deceased as a political bridge builder who promoted collaboration across political divides in Edo State, while insisting that he never exploited his influence for personal gain.
Wike called on stakeholders in Edo State to honour Orbih with a state burial in recognition of his contributions to the state and the country’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.
‘Dan made me a better governor’ — Oshiomhole
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also paid glowing tribute to Orbih, saying his former political opponent made him a better governor.
Oshiomhole said Orbih’s strong opposition forced him to think carefully about every major decision he took while in office.
“So, when I’m making a decision, the first thing I’ll ask is, ‘If this goes out today, what is Dan Orbih going to say?’” he said.
According to him, knowing that Orbih and the opposition would scrutinise his actions made him better prepared before taking major decisions.
“That is why I say Dan helped me to be a better governor,” Oshiomhole said.
He urged Orbih’s family to take solace in the fact that their father built bridges of unity and progress and remained committed to the development of his community.
Oshiomhole also thanked Wike for helping to restore his relationship with Orbih after years of political differences.
“It was right at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt that Dan and I started hugging,” he recalled.
‘Orbih made me a politician’ — Abe
Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Senator Magnus Abe, said Orbih was the man who introduced him to politics.
Abe recalled serving as Director-General of Orbih’s first governorship campaign under the United Nigeria Congress Party, saying he travelled across Edo State with him during the campaign.
He described Orbih as “a bridge builder par excellence,” adding that the deceased positively affected the lives of many people.
In his tribute, PDP presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, 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.”
Onor also described the deceased as “a great man by every measure, a true family man, a great husband, and a worthy father.”
