JUST IN: PDP Chieftain Dan Orbih is Dead

Chief Daniel Osi Orbih, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is dead.

Orbih reportedly died on Monday, August 31, 2026, leaving behind his wife, children, siblings and other members of his extended family.

His death was announced by the Orbih family in a statement signed by Francis Udukhomoi Orbih, Esq., on behalf of the family.

The family described the development as a painful loss and said it was made “with profound sadness and a heavy heart but in total submission to the will of the almighty God.”

Orbih was one of the long-standing political figures within the PDP, particularly in Edo State and the South-South region.

He was also known for his close political relationship with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State.

The relationship between both men had featured prominently in the internal affairs of the PDP in recent years.

Orbih had remained vocal on the direction of the party and had repeatedly defended his position within the PDP despite disagreements among different factions.

The late politician was also a former chairman of the PDP in Edo State and became one of the influential figures in the party’s South-South structure.

In the statement announcing his death, the family said Orbih was survived by his wife, Mrs Florence Orbih, and his children, Ms Winifred Anwosiobor Orbih and Dr Mildred Omonemi Orbih.

He was also survived by his brothers and sisters, alongside other members of the extended family.

The family appealed to those close to Orbih to remember them in prayers as they mourn the veteran politician.

“At this difficult time, we ask family members, friends and well-wishers to remember the entire family in their prayers as we mourn this painful loss,” the statement read.

The family did not immediately announce details of the burial or funeral arrangements.

It said further information would be released in due course.

In a related development, the late Dan Orbih had, in March 2025, spoken openly about his relationship with Wike amid the growing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party.

In an interview published on March 23, Orbih rejected suggestions that his closeness to Wike had compromised his commitment to the PDP.

At the time, Wike was already facing criticism from some PDP members over his role in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Orbih, however, maintained that his political party could not dictate the people he should associate with outside the party.

He said his friendship with Wike was separate from his membership of the PDP.

“Let me make it abundantly clear here that my membership of PDP cannot determine those who are my friends and those who should be my enemies,” Orbih said.

He explained that he had relationships with people across different political parties and that such friendships did not mean he had abandoned his political affiliation.

Orbih specifically described Wike as a dependable friend and rejected the idea that the PDP should determine who he could maintain personal relationships with.

“I want to say it very clearly, PDP cannot determine my friendship with Barrister Nyesom Wike, a very dependable, hard-working friend of mine,” he said.

On April 16, 2025, Orbih again defended Wike and argued that the FCT minister was not responsible for the problems confronting the opposition party.

Speaking in Benin City during the formal handover of a new PDP secretariat he donated to the party, Orbih said the party’s difficulties were linked to deeper disagreements over its leadership and internal rules.

“PDP is a strong and formidable party, but it still has challenges that we cannot afford to ignore or sweep under the carpet,” he said.

Orbih then dismissed the argument that Wike was the major source of the party’s troubles.

“Wike is not the party’s problem. The real issue is those who want to run every time without following the party’s constitutional guidelines,” he said.

He called for fresh congresses that would produce new leadership capable of rebuilding the PDP and restoring its political strength.

The statement came against the backdrop of a difficult period for the Edo PDP.

Orbih said the party had been without a proper state secretariat after its former office was vacated in January 2025.

He subsequently donated a new secretariat to the party and described the development as a fresh beginning for the Edo chapter.

“Today marks a new chapter. We celebrate the official opening of a befitting PDP state secretariat, putting an end to being labeled homeless,” Orbih said.

He also expressed concern over the party’s declining fortunes in Edo State.

Orbih recalled that the PDP had previously controlled significant political positions in the state but had suffered major setbacks, including the loss of the governorship and its representation in the Senate.

“I look back and feel deeply saddened by the current state of our party, which once had two senators and a House of Representatives majority in the state,” he said.