Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has recalled how the late Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Daniel Orbih, resisted pressure and inducements to support his bid for the Rivers State governorship in 2015.
Wike said Orbih remained behind him at a crucial point in the race despite attempts by political opponents to persuade him to withdraw his support.
He spoke on Wednesday at a night of tributes held in Abuja for 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 was subjected to intense pressure during the period leading to the election, including attempts to induce him with political and material offers.
“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’s support went beyond publicly backing his ambition, adding that the late politician donated two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses to his campaign for security purposes and helped mobilise political structures in the South-South.
But the FCT minister said what he valued most was that Orbih never sought personal benefits 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.
He described Orbih as a politician whose loyalty was tested during periods of crisis, saying the late PDP leader remained dependable when political relationships came under strain.
“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 credited Orbih with influencing the political careers of several politicians in the South-South and supporting political bridge-building in Edo State.
He called on stakeholders in Edo to honour the late politician with a state burial, citing 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 disagreements ultimately made him a more accountable governor.
Oshiomhole said Orbih’s position as an opposition leader made him consider how the late politician and his supporters would scrutinise 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 helped reconcile him with Orbih after their prolonged disagreement, saying the two 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 career.
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.
“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, businessman, and long-serving chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party who served as the PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-South) and as the party’s longest-serving Edo State Chairman.
