Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has recalled how the late Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Daniel Orbih, resisted pressure and political inducements to support his bid to become governor of Rivers State in 2015.
Wike made the disclosure on Wednesday at a night of tributes held in Abuja in honour of Orbih, who died on August 31 at the age of 64.
The FCT minister described Orbih as a loyal political ally who remained steadfast during one of the most critical periods of his political career, despite efforts by political opponents to persuade him to withdraw his support.
“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 intense pressure before the 2015 governorship election, with political actors allegedly offering him various incentives in an attempt to change his position.
“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 recalled.
Wike further disclosed that Orbih went beyond political endorsement by contributing to his campaign’s security arrangements. He said the late PDP leader donated two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses and helped mobilise political structures across the South-South region.
However, Wike said the quality he valued most was Orbih’s refusal to seek personal rewards from their political relationship.
“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 described Orbih as a politician whose loyalty became evident during periods of political crisis. He said the late party leader remained dependable even when political relationships were tested.
“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 added.
Wike also credited Orbih with playing an influential role in the political careers of several South-South politicians and promoting political bridge-building, particularly in Edo State.
He urged political stakeholders in Edo State 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.
Oshiomhole: Orbih Made Me a Better Governor
Former Edo State governor and current Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also paid tribute to Orbih, saying their political disagreements ultimately helped make him a more accountable governor.
Oshiomhole said Orbih’s role as an opposition leader forced him to carefully consider how his decisions would be scrutinised by the late politician and his supporters.
“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 also recalled how Wike helped reconcile him with Orbih following their prolonged political disagreement. According to Oshiomhole, their relationship began to improve during a meeting at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt.
“It was right at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt that Dan and I started hugging,” Oshiomhole recalled.
Magnus Abe, Sandy Onor Honour Orbih
Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Magnus Abe, also highlighted Orbih’s influence on his political journey.
Abe said he served as director-general of Orbih’s first governorship campaign under the United Nigeria Congress Party and travelled with him across Edo State.
Describing Orbih as an exceptional bridge builder, Abe said the gathering was not simply about mourning his death but celebrating the impact of his life.
“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.
Onor also praised him as a devoted family man, describing him as a great husband and father.
Orbih died on August 31 at the age of 64. He was a prominent Nigerian politician, businessman and long-serving PDP chieftain who served as the party’s National Vice-Chairman (South-South) and was its longest-serving Edo State Chairman.