In a powerful tribute that had the room hanging on every word, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has opened up about the late Chief Daniel Orbih's unshakeable loyalty, revealing how the PDP stalwart turned down every inducement from former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to abandon Wike's governorship ambition. This is the kind of loyalty that makes you stand up and clap, and Wike made sure the world knew it.
Speaking at a night of tributes in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike paid glowing homage to Orbih, the former National Vice-Chairman (South South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who passed away on August 31 at the age of 64. The event was not just a mourning session; it was a celebration of a man who stood firm when it mattered most.
What did Wike say about Orbih's loyalty during the 2013-2014 crisis?
Wike took us back to the turbulent period between 2013 and 2014, when political adversaries made desperate attempts to derail his ambition. According to him, Orbih was the rock that refused to move, even when the pressure was intense.
“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,'” the minister said.
Wike didn't mince words about who made his rise possible. “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,” he declared, making it clear that Orbih's role was not just supportive but foundational.
How did Orbih support Wike's governorship campaign?
This wasn't just moral support. Wike revealed that Orbih, in his capacity as South South National Vice-Chairman of the PDP, backed the campaign with serious muscle. He donated two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses for Wike's security and mobilised massive structural support across the region. That's the kind of commitment that separates the real ones from the pretenders.
Why did Wike call Orbih a selfless politician?
In a political landscape where many are chasing contracts and patronage, Orbih stood out as a different breed. Wike was emphatic that throughout his eight years as governor, Orbih never once asked for a single favour.
“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.
Wike also highlighted that loyalty ran deep in the Orbih family. “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 stressed.
What was Orbih's impact on Edo State politics?
Wike argued that without Orbih's strength as National Vice-Chairman protecting the region's interests, many current national and state lawmakers would not have attained their positions. Orbih laid the foundation for cross-party collaboration in Edo State and supported numerous politicians without expecting anything in return.
Given these contributions, Wike insisted that Orbih deserves a state burial for his role in political developments in Edo. He urged stakeholders from the state to make it happen and pledged to keep the relationship with the family alive. “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,” Wike said.
Who else paid tribute to Orbih?
The night was filled with powerful voices, each sharing how Orbih touched their lives. Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, credited Orbih for his political career. “I was the Director General of his first campaign in the United Nigeria Congress Party, when he ran for governor and I went everywhere in Edo with him. 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.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North and a former Governor of Edo State, made a striking confession. He said Orbih made him a better governor, even from the opposition bench.
“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. 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?' 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,” he said.
Oshiomhole also thanked Wike for reuniting him with Orbih after a prolonged political difference. “It was right at Wike's residence in Port Harcourt that Dan and I started hugging,” he revealed, showing that even political rivals could find common ground through Orbih's influence.
Addressing the family, Oshiomhole offered words of comfort: “Please take consolation from the fact that your father built bridges of unity, of progress, and he never did that at the expense of family and he was committed to the growth and development of Ogbona kingdom.”
The PDP presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, summed up Orbih's legacy with powerful words, describing him as “a profound public intellectual, a quintessential lover of Edo people, a defender of Edo heritage, a Nigerian patriot and a social colossus.” He added, “Dan was a great man by every measure, a true family man, a great husband, and a worthy father.”
What is the takeaway from Orbih's life and legacy?
This tribute night was more than a farewell; it was a masterclass in loyalty, integrity, and selfless service. In a political climate where many are swayed by money and power, Orbih's life stands as a powerful reminder that standing firm on principle is the ultimate win. His legacy is not just in the positions he held or the politicians he supported, but in the lives he touched and the bridges he built across divides.
As Wike and others continue to honour his memory, one thing is clear: Dan Orbih was a giant, and his story will inspire generations to come.