By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has credited the late Dan Orbih with helping him win the 2015 Rivers State governorship election.
Wike said Orbih stood by his ambition despite pressure and financial inducements from his political opponents.
The FCT Minister spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, at a night of tributes held in honour of Orbih, the former National Vice-Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in the South South.
Orbih, who hailed from Etsako in Edo State, died on August 31 at the age of 64.
Recalling the political struggle ahead of the 2015 election, Wike said Orbih played a key role in mobilising political support for his campaign.
“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 said Orbih also donated two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses to his campaign and mobilised support across the South South.
Wike described Orbih as a loyal and selfless politician, “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 minister said Orbih also defended the interests of the South South and supported politicians across the region.
Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Senator Magnus Abe, said Orbih introduced him to politics and described him as a “bridge builder” whose life positively affected many people.
Former Edo State Governor and serving Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, said Orbih contributed to making him a better governor and recalled that Wike helped reunite them after a prolonged political disagreement.
urged Orbih’s family to draw strength from his legacy of unity, progress and service.
The PDP presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, described Orbih as a public intellectual, defender of Edo heritage, Nigerian patriot and family man.
