THE FAMILY of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Chief Daniel Orbih, has confirmed his death at 64, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and former Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, mourned the veteran politician and described his death as a painful and significant loss to Edo State and Nigeria.
The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Benin by Mr Francis Orbih on behalf of the family.
The family described the deceased as a beloved brother, husband, father and uncle, saying his death was received with “profound sadness and a heavy heart.”
Orbih is survived by his wife, Mrs Florence Orbih, and his children, Ms Winifred Orbih and Dr Mildred Orbih, as well as his siblings and other members of the extended family.
The family appealed to relatives, friends and well-wishers to remember them in their prayers as they mourn the loss. It added that details of the burial and other arrangements would be announced in due course.
Orbih, a former chairman of the PDP in Edo, later served as the party’s National Vice-Chairman, South-South, where he remained an influential figure in the party and state politics.
Reacting to his death, former Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, described Orbih as a prominent Edo son and influential voice whose contributions to Nigerian politics and the PDP remained significant.
Obaseki said Orbih’s long years of public engagement and leadership in the PDP had earned him a place in the political history of Edo State, adding that his death was a significant loss to both Edo and Nigeria.
He condoled with Orbih’s wife, children, family members, friends, political associates, colleagues and other well-wishers, praying that God would grant the family the strength to bear the loss and grant the deceased eternal rest.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, also mourned Orbih, describing his death as painful and saying he had lost “a true friend and political associate.”
Wike described Orbih as a committed political ally, a good friend, a great politician and a man of faith, likening his death to “the fall of one of the biggest trees in the political forest of Edo.”
He expressed condolences to the Orbih family on behalf of himself, his family and political associates, saying the late politician would be missed by many.
Orbih’s death has prompted condolences from political figures and associates who recognised his longstanding role in Edo and national politics.
