Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the late Chief Daniel Orbih as the political ally God used to pave the way for his emergence as Governor of Rivers State in 2015.
Wike spoke on Wednesday at a night of tributes held in Abuja in honour of Orbih, the former South-South National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who died on August 31 at the age of 64.
Recounting the political intrigues surrounding his 2015 governorship bid, Wike said Orbih remained steadfast despite intense pressure and financial inducements from his political opponents.
“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.
He recalled that between 2013 and 2014, opponents, including the then Rivers State governor, made several attempts to frustrate his ambition.
“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.
According to him, Orbih, who was then the PDP’s South-South National Vice-Chairman, also supported his campaign by providing two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses and mobilising political structures across the region.
Wike said Orbih’s support was particularly remarkable because he never sought personal benefits from the Rivers State government during his eight years as governor.
“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,” he said.
The FCT minister said Orbih’s loyalty, commitment to friendship and willingness to stand by people in difficult times were values that ran deep in his family.
He also credited Orbih with helping many politicians across the South-South region attain political positions, saying his efforts to protect the region’s interests contributed to the emergence of several lawmakers and political leaders.
Wike further described Orbih as a bridge builder who laid the foundation for cross-party political cooperation in Edo State and supported several politicians without seeking personal gain.
He called on political stakeholders in Edo State to honour Orbih 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.
Also speaking, Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, said Orbih was responsible for introducing him to politics.
Abe recalled serving as director-general of Orbih’s first campaign for governor under the United Nigeria Congress Party, saying he travelled across Edo State with him during the campaign.
“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, also paid tribute to Orbih, saying their political disagreements ultimately made him a better governor.
He said he often considered how Orbih and the opposition would interpret his decisions before taking action.
“That is why I say Dan helped me to be a better governor,” Oshiomhole said.
Oshiomhole thanked Wike for helping to reconcile him with Orbih after their prolonged political differences, recalling that they began rebuilding their relationship at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt.
He urged Orbih’s family to take solace in the fact that their father contributed to unity, political development and the growth of Ogbona Kingdom.
In his tribute, PDP presidential candidate Senator Sandy Onor described Orbih as a public intellectual, lover of the Edo people, defender of Edo heritage, Nigerian patriot and “social colossus.”
He also described the deceased as a devoted family man, husband and father.