Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has recounted how the late former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Daniel Osi Orbih, served as the divine instrument that paved the way for his election as Governor of Rivers State in 2015.
​Speaking in Abuja during a tribute event to honor the late political strategist, Wike disclosed that Orbih’s decisive stance during a critical political impasse within the Rivers State PDP chapter fundamentally altered his political trajectory.
​Recalling the sequence of events leading to the 2015 elections, Wike explained that internal strife had threatened the structure of the Rivers State PDP. At the time, Orbih served as the PDP Chairman in neighboring Edo State.
​”God used Dan Orbih to make me a governor,” Wike stated. “He was the Chairman of PDP in Edo State at that time, and there was a crisis in Rivers State PDP. He chose to stand by the truth, and that’s how I became governor. It is unfortunate that he died, and there is nothing any of us can do about it.”
​Wike highlighted Orbih’s integrity and selflessness throughout their long-standing relationship, noting that despite his influential role in Wike’s political ascent, Orbih never leveraged their alliance for personal material gain.
​”Dan was 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,” the FCT Minister added. “Dan was a great man by every measure, a true family man, a great husband, and a worthy father.”
​Chief Dan Orbih passed away on August 31, 2026, at the age of 64. His passing was formally announced in a statement issued by Francis Udukhomoi Orbih, Esq., on behalf of the Orbih family.
​In a condolence message relayed through his media office, Wike formally extended his sympathies to Orbih’s immediate family; Mrs. Florence Orbih, Winifred Anwosiobor Orbih and Dr. Mildred Omonemi Orbih, Francis Udukhomoi Orbih, Esq.
​Wike described Orbih’s passing as the “fall of one of the biggest trees in the political forest of Edo State” and a personal loss of a committed associate whose principled approach to party politics remains rare in Nigeria’s political landscape.
