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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has revealed that the late National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-South, Chief Daniel Orbih, resisted intense political pressure and lucrative inducements to help him emerge as Governor of Rivers State in 2015.
Wike made the revelation on Wednesday at a night of tributes in Abuja in honour of Orbih, who died on August 31 at the age of 64.
The FCT Minister described Orbih as the political ally whose steadfastness at a critical period helped secure his governorship, saying the late politician remained loyal despite efforts by his political opponents to frustrate his ambition.
“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 him, the period leading to the 2015 Rivers governorship election was marked by intense political manoeuvring, with powerful interests allegedly attempting to persuade Orbih 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, who was then the PDP National Vice-Chairman representing the South-South, went beyond political endorsement by providing practical support for his campaign.
He disclosed that the late politician donated two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses to strengthen his security and mobilised political structures across the region in support of his ambition.
But beyond Orbih’s political backing, Wike said what distinguished him was that he never demanded personal rewards for his loyalty.
The former Rivers governor said that throughout his eight years in office, Orbih never approached him seeking contracts, appointments or other personal favours.
“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 the late politician’s loyalty as a reflection of his character and family values, saying Orbih remained dependable particularly during periods of political crisis.
“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,” he said.
Wike further credited Orbih with playing a major role in shaping the political fortunes of several politicians in the South-South, saying many serving lawmakers would not have attained their positions without his support and strategic interventions.
He also recalled Orbih’s contribution to political bridge-building in Edo State, saying the late politician supported politicians across political divides without necessarily seeking personal benefits from the relationships he cultivated.
Wike urged stakeholders in Edo State to honour Orbih with a state burial in recognition of his contributions to the state’s political development.
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“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.
Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Magnus Abe, also paid tribute to Orbih, saying his own political journey began under the deceased’s mentorship.
Abe recalled that 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 Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, said Orbih’s role as an opposition leader forced him to become more accountable and ultimately made him a better governor.
He said that whenever he was faced with a major decision as governor, he considered how Orbih and the opposition would scrutinise it.
“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 added: “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?’ Each time I abstain from doing something because of what the opposition led by Dan will interpret to the people, before I do it will be better prepared.
“That is why I say Dan helped me to be a better governor.”
Oshiomhole also thanked Wike for helping to reconcile him with Orbih after their prolonged political disagreement, recalling that 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,” he said.
He urged Orbih’s family to take solace in his legacy as a bridge-builder who promoted unity and development while remaining committed to his family and Ogbona Kingdom.
Former PDP presidential candidate, 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.”
“Dan was a great man by every measure, a true family man, a great husband, and a worthy father,” Onor said.
