The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to remain steadfast and focused, assuring him of the party’s support and appreciation.
The BoT delegation, led by its Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, made the remarks on Tuesday when it paid a condolence visit to Wike in Abuja over the death of the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih.
Ohuabunwa said the delegation had two primary reasons for visiting the minister: to condole with him over Orbih’s death and to express solidarity with and encourage him amid ongoing issues within the party.
He described Orbih as a committed member of the PDP, a pillar of the party, a member of the BoT and a close associate of Wike.
“We came here purely for two major reasons: to condole with and console our national leader, Nyesom Wike, on the demise of one of our great members, a pillar of the party, a consistent member of the party, Chief Dan Orbih,” Ohuabunwa said.
The BoT chairman also expressed support for Wike’s continued role in the Federal Government, recalling that the minister had sought the party’s approval before accepting his appointment.
According to him, Wike had written to the party at all levels when he was offered the ministerial appointment, and the party had unanimously accepted his decision to serve.
“We want to boldly say that as a party and as the conscience of the party and also the compass of this party, we are very, very proud of him. Proud of him as a person, proud of him in performance, proud of his capacity,” Ohuabunwa said.
He further urged the minister to remain focused, saying the BoT was in Abuja to “solidarise with him” and encourage him.
Wike Reaffirms Commitment to PDP
Responding, Wike thanked the BoT members for the visit and reiterated his commitment to remaining a member of the PDP and working with other stakeholders to rebuild the party.
The minister also spoke about the late Orbih, recalling the role he played during Wike’s emergence as Rivers State governor in 2015.
Wike said Orbih, who was then the PDP chairman in Edo State, supported him during a crisis within the Rivers State chapter of the party.
“God used Dan Orbih to make me a governor,” Wike said, describing his death as an irreparable loss.
The PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South) died on September 1, with his family confirming his death in a statement issued in Benin City. Orbih was a former PDP chairman in Edo State before becoming the party’s South-South national vice chairman.
Wike Maintains Position on 2027
The visit also came against the backdrop of Wike’s continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, despite his membership of the PDP.
Wike recently reiterated that his political priority for the 2027 presidential election is supporting Tinubu. He has also maintained that his support for the President does not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates in governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections.
The position has contributed to tensions between Wike and some APC governors, who have opposed his Rainbow Coalition, a multi-party political arrangement supporting Tinubu’s re-election.
Despite the political differences surrounding his position, Wike told the PDP BoT delegation that he would remain in the party and work with other stakeholders toward rebuilding it.
The condolence visit therefore combined a tribute to the late Dan Orbih with an expression of solidarity from the PDP BoT to Wike as the party continues to navigate internal disagreements ahead of the 2027 elections.
