Category: PM News

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said it will follow all electoral rules but will not accept any attempt to rig it out of the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, stated this on Wednesday when the Governing Council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development visited the ADC national headquarters in Abuja.

The delegation was led by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The Savannah Centre is engaging political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections as part of efforts to promote peaceful, free and credible elections.

Mark said the ADC was committed to conducting its activities within the law and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

He said, ‘We are committed to playing politics in a manner that promotes public confidence in democracy.’

The ADC chairman said the party would obey the rules of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its own code of conduct, as contained in its Orange Book.

However, he said following electoral rules did not mean the party would accept electoral malpractice or attempts to manipulate the process against it.

Ariwoola said the visit was part of the Savannah Centre’s engagement with political parties and political leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

He urged ADC leaders to encourage their candidates and members to obey INEC rules and avoid political violence.

The Savannah Centre delegation included Professors Abdullahi Shehu and Azeez Musa Dankano, Executive Director Ambassador Sani Bala, Tunji Lardner and Ambassador Godswill Ighali, among others.

Meanwhile, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has urged INEC to ensure that eligible voters who register for the 2027 elections are able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The council said voter registration figures would have little meaning if registered voters could not collect their PVCs.

In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council also urged INEC to remain neutral and transparent throughout the electoral process.

Ologbondiyan said INEC should not take any action that could give an advantage to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said the commission should focus not only on voter registration but also on making sure registered voters could easily collect their PVCs.

The council expressed concern over alleged delays and bureaucratic problems at PVC collection centres, especially in areas it described as opposition strongholds.

It called on INEC to move PVC collection to the ward level, extend collection hours and use technology to inform voters when their cards are ready.

Ologbondiyan also urged INEC to comply with the Constitution and Electoral Act throughout the election process.

He said the ADC-PCC would continue to monitor INEC’s activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

The council urged Nigerians, especially first time voters, not to be discouraged by administrative challenges but to participate in the electoral process and collect their PVCs.

Ologbondiyan said the ADC remained committed to an election where all eligible Nigerians would have equal opportunities to vote and where legitimate votes would be counted.

The Independent National Electoral Commiss (INEC) Commission has warned that political parties which failed to comply with the membership-register requirement could be barred from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections, with no opportunity to replace those affected.

INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, said parties would not be allowed to substitute candidates to escape the consequences of breaching the law.

Speaking on Trust TV’s Daily Politics programme on Wednesday, Haruna warned that the consequences could extend to governorship and state Houses of Assembly contests. He said the commission was reviewing the Supreme Court judgment before announcing its definitive position.

‘No party will be able to change candidates. They won’t contest the election. Remember Zamfara and Plateau. The law is clear,’ Haruna said.

He explained that parties must submit their membership registers to INEC at least three weeks before their primaries, while those seeking tickets must have their names on the relevant register.

‘Some parties won’t even field governorship candidates down to Houses of Assembly if the candidates’ names were not in the party’s register three weeks before the primaries,’ he said.

The warning follows the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment restoring provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing party membership registers and candidate nomination.

The apex court overturned an earlier Court of Appeal decision which had voided Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Act.

The restored provisions restrict participation in primaries to members listed in the register submitted to INEC, require parties to use that register and prevent a party which failed to submit it within the stipulated period from fielding a candidate.

Haruna said INEC would consult its legal experts on the certified judgment and expected to make a clear pronouncement by Tuesday next week.

His remarks did not identify any particular party or candidate as having been excluded.

Meanwhile, several parties have defended their nomination processes following the ruling.

A Nigerian Air Force pilot made a precautionary landing on a farmland in Benue State after completing a combat mission against suspected kidnappers.

The helicopter had provided close air support to ground troops during an operation in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, near the Benue-Enugu boundary, before the pilot decided to land about 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base.

Residents said the aircraft came down on farmland in Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the decision was taken as a safety precaution following the operation.

‘Following the successful completion of the mission, the pilot, on return to base, exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield,’ Ejodame said.

‘This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.’

The Air Force said the helicopter later returned safely to base.

According to NAF, the operation targeted suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo and helped disrupt their activities while supporting the advance of troops on the ground.

The unusual landing comes just days after the Nigerian Air Force suffered a deadly aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed into a swamp opposite a naval base on Monday.

No survivors were found following the crash.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the Ondo tragedy as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the country.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently declared three days of national mourning for the victims and ordered an investigation into the accident.

NAF, however, stressed that Wednesday’s Benue incident was a precautionary landing and that the helicopter returned to base.

For years, vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) shaped the lives of 58 women in Kaduna, leaving many to cope with pain, emotional distress, stigma and social isolation.

But after successful surgical repairs, the women have begun another phase of recovery through skills acquisition and economic empowerment.

At a graduation ceremony in Kaduna, the beneficiaries received skills training and starter packs aimed at helping them rebuild their livelihoods and reintegrate into their families and communities.

For Rahma Ibrahim, living with VVF had been a painful experience marked by emotional distress and isolation.

Ibrahim expressed appreciation to the Kaduna State Government and its development partners for providing free treatment and skills training, saying the intervention restored her confidence and hope.

Similarly, another beneficiary, Khadija Yusuf, said living with VVF was painful and emotionally difficult.

Yusuf said the treatment and subsequent skills training had given her an opportunity to rebuild her life and work towards becoming economically self-reliant.

Their experiences reflect the wider burden of obstetric fistula in Nigeria, where an estimated 114,048 women and girls are living with the condition and about 12,000 new cases occur annually, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

VVF is a childbirth-related injury that occurs when prolonged or obstructed labour damages tissue between the birth canal and bladder, resulting in continuous leakage of urine.

In some cases, fistula may also affect the rectum, causing involuntary leakage of faeces.

Beyond the physical effects, the condition can have serious social and economic consequences, including stigma, marital difficulties, isolation, loss of livelihood and reduced self-esteem.

For many women, therefore, surgical repair is only the beginning of recovery.

The treatment gap also remains significant.

According to UNFPA, Nigeria has about 20 dedicated fistula treatment centres, with the capacity to provide surgical care to about 5,000 women annually.

At that rate, UNFPA estimates that clearing the existing backlog of women requiring surgery could take about 30 years, assuming no new cases occur.

Against this background, the Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development combined medical treatment with rehabilitation and skills acquisition for the 58 beneficiaries.

The intervention is also part of a wider expansion of fistula care in Kaduna.

In March, UNFPA said 702 fistula repair surgeries had been performed across two supported centres in the state, with an average success rate of 90 per cent eight weeks after discharge.

The expansion included a new 12-bed comprehensive fistula centre at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital and a renovated 48-bed ward at Gambo Sawaba General Hospital.

Three doctors and eight nurses were also retrained in fistula management.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, said the occasion marked a celebration of healing, recovery and renewed hope for the beneficiaries.

Balarabe, who conveyed the greetings of Gov. Uba Sani, said the administration considered healthcare, especially the wellbeing of women and children, a priority.

She said successful surgical repair should be followed by measures to restore the confidence, dignity, social acceptance and economic independence of women affected by fistula.

‘As a medical doctor myself, I understand the profound physical, emotional and social challenges women living with obstetric fistula may experience,’ she said.

The deputy governor said the skills acquisition component had equipped the beneficiaries with practical skills and starter packs to support their reintegration into society.

She appreciated the Ministry of Women Affairs, Fistula Foundation Nigeria, UNFPA, medical professionals, counsellors, trainers and other partners involved in the intervention.

Balarabe, therefore, urged stakeholders to strengthen awareness of fistula, improve access to quality maternal healthcare and promote skilled attendance during pregnancy and childbirth.

She also called for greater access to treatment without stigma or discrimination, urging families and communities to receive women who had undergone treatment with dignity and respect.

In addition, the deputy governor encouraged the beneficiaries to use their skills and starter packs to establish sustainable livelihoods and support their families.

She also urged them to share their experiences and encourage other women to seek help, stressing that fistula was preventable and treatable.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, said the graduation marked another step in the women’s recovery and economic empowerment.

Salisu said the 58 beneficiaries had undergone successful VVF repairs before participating in skills acquisition programmes across the state.

She stressed that surgery alone could not guarantee sustainable recovery, saying rehabilitation and economic empowerment were necessary to help survivors rebuild their lives.

‘The starter packs are not just materials; they are investments in your future,’ she said.

The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to see themselves as survivors, entrepreneurs, leaders and advocates rather than allowing their experiences to define them.

She also disclosed that the beneficiaries would form a cooperative society under the ministry to promote mutual support and economic development.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Fistula Foundation Nigeria, Mr Musa Isa, who represented UNFPA, said progress had been recorded in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of women affected by fistula.

Isa said quarterly fistula repair campaigns had enabled more than 400 women and girls to receive free treatment, including surgery, medication, feeding and transportation.

He said health workers had also received specialised training in fistula management, while survivors were being trained as advocates and community mobilisers.

According to him, community identification, referrals, savings associations and community dialogues were among the strategies being used to support affected women.

Isa said the 58 beneficiaries completed rehabilitation and skills acquisition after successful repairs at the Yusuf Dantsoho Fistula Centre.

He urged the women to use the skills and empowerment packages provided to them and remain united in supporting one another.

He also advised them to follow medical advice after treatment, including appropriate family planning and safe management of subsequent pregnancies and deliveries.

Representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Mallam Faruk Usman commended the Kaduna Government for supporting health partners and non-governmental organisations working on fistula intervention.

Usman said the establishment of the Yusuf Dantsoho intervention centre had brought specialised fistula services closer to communities.

According to him, more than 300 patients had undergone fistula repairs at the centre within two years through collaboration between the state government and Fistula Foundation Nigeria.

He said three doctors and six nurses had also been trained to manage fistula cases, stressing that treatment required specialised medical expertise.

Usman also urged stakeholders to strengthen advocacy and community-level identification and referral of women living with the condition.

He said many affected women were still unaware that fistula could be prevented and treated, including through available free treatment.

For the 58 women, the intervention has marked a shift from medical treatment to rebuilding their livelihoods and returning to family and community life.

More broadly, their experience highlights the need to prevent new cases through access to quality maternal healthcare, skilled birth attendants and timely emergency obstetric services.

At the same time, women already affected need early identification, treatment, rehabilitation and social acceptance to support their recovery.

As the beneficiaries leave with new skills and starter packs, their stories underline that fistula does not have to result in a lifetime of isolation.

Ultimately, with timely care and sustained support, recovery can extend beyond surgical repair to restoring confidence, dignity and livelihoods.

A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has affirmed Mr Toyin Okoro as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1 in the 2027 general election.

The court affirmed the candidacy of Okoro after dismissing a suit challenging the nomination filed by Mr Babalotin Bayo and three others, for want of locus standi and jurisdiction.

Bayo had approached the court to void the outcome of the APC primary election that produced Okoro as the party’s flag bearer for the Ikere, Ise-Orun and Ekiti South-West federal constituency 1.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Babs Kuewumi held that the suit was incompetent and described the plaintiff as a ‘meddlesome interloper’ and a ‘busybody’ with no legal standing to challenge the primary.

The judge stressed that, under Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, only an aspirant, who participated in a party’s primary election has the statutory right to challenge its conduct or outcome in court.

Kuewumi also held that a state chapter of a political party has no independent legal status to be sued separately from its national body, and consequently struck out the name of the APC Ekiti State chapter from the suit.

Okoro, an indigene of Ise-Ekiti, emerged candidate after defeating the incumbent lawmaker, retired AVM Rufus Ojuawo, in the May 2026 APC primary and subsequently confirmed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Reacting to the judgment, Okoro’s lead counsel, Dr Femi Ogunlade, who appeared with Dr K.O. Francis, described it as a victory for the rule of law and internal party democracy.

‘The court has come out clearly to re-affirm that no individual can confer constitutional rights upon themselves where none exists. The substratum of the plaintiff’s case was defective from the onset because he was never an aspirant in the primary election,’ Ogunlade said.

Also speaking, Adebayo Adeji, a lawyer and community leader from Ise-Ekiti, said the judgment has ended the legal distractions surrounding Okoro’s candidacy.

‘Okoro enjoys overwhelming support across the federal constituency, comprising Ise-Orun, Ikere and Ekiti South-West Local Government Areas.

‘The court has validated the choice of the people, and the decision shows that no individual can stand in the way of a moving political train,’ Adeji said.

With the legal challenge cleared, Okoro remains the APC’s confirmed candidate for the federal constituency ahead of the 2027 polls.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified its mobilisation in Edo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with its Vice-Presidential Candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and former Edo State Governor, Chief John Oyegun, calling for political change and economic reforms in Nigeria.

They spoke at an ADC town hall meeting in Edo State attended by party leaders, candidates, supporters and other dignitaries, where the party presented its vision for Edo State and Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.

Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor, criticised the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said had worsened inflation and increased the burden on ordinary Nigerians.

He said energy remained fundamental to economic production, stressing that ‘without it, you cannot produce.’

According to Amaechi, the subsidy removal was undertaken without sufficient consideration of its effect on inflation and the cost of living.

He argued that lower fuel prices would reduce the cost of goods and services and could also contribute to a reduction in crime.

Amaechi said an ADC-led government would introduce production subsidies and implement policies designed to make production easier, while also promising tax cuts and improved salaries.

He further pledged that an ADC government would ensure the construction of all seaports in the country.

On the electoral process, Amaechi urged Nigerians to protect their votes, insisting that elections should be won at the polling units rather than through court battles.

‘You will defend your votes. If you don’t fight for your right, they will take it,’ he said, referring to developments in Osun State.

The ADC vice-presidential candidate also promised greater participation of women in government, saying the country could not be effectively governed without women.

He pledged that an ADC government would increase women’s participation in governance and provide schools in primary communities across villages.

Amaechi also promised to reduce the cost of school fees and make education more accessible to Nigerians.

Speaking on his experience as Rivers State governor, he recalled walking the streets and interacting directly with residents, saying such engagement enabled leaders to understand the realities facing the people.

Earlier, Edo State ADC Chairman, Chief Anthony Alile, said the town hall meeting demonstrated that the party was fully preparing for the 2027 elections.

Alile said Nigeria was at a critical crossroads, adding that the ADC was seeking power to restore effective governance.

He said the people of Edo wanted jobs, security and leadership they could trust, stressing that the party’s message of change was resonating across the state.

ADC leader in Edo Central, Barr. Kenneth Imansuagbon, urged voters to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to effect political change.

He said, ‘APC have AK-47 and we have PVC,’ while accusing the ruling party of leaving the state with bad roads and insecurity.

Imansuagbon said the people of Edo were not cowards and would support the ADC at the polls.

In Edo South, ADC leader Senator Ehigie Usamere condemned the display of weapons in political activities, describing it as a sign of weakness.

He urged Benin people to take a leading role in politics and said the ADC would receive strong support from the area.

The ADC National Woman Leader, Naomi Lasara, also urged voters to go beyond casting their ballots by ensuring that their votes were protected.

The event featured the official commissioning of ADC campaign songs under the theme, ‘Entertainer for Good Governance.’

In his remarks, Chief John Oyegun, a former executive governor of Edo State, said Nigerians made ‘terrible mistakes’ three years ago and were now paying for them.

Oyegun expressed concern over political intimidation in Edo State, particularly alleged threats involving AK-47s, and questioned whether such a political environment was what the people wanted.

He said he had closely observed Amaechi during his tenure as Rivers State governor and argued that Nigeria needed courageous leadership and experience to address its current challenges.

Oyegun said the 2027 election should provide an opportunity to correct what he described as the mistakes of 2023 and ‘rescue the nation.’

The town hall also featured the presentation of ADC candidates and members of the party’s state working committee, including Edo North senatorial candidate Haruna Abubakar, Edo Central senatorial candidate, Edo South senatorial candidate Senator Matthew Erohide, and the party’s nine House of Representatives candidates.

Other dignitaries at the event included ADC campaign adviser Senator Osamere, Barr. Kenneth Imasogbon, Senator Nurudeen Usman, Pastor Oseni, National Woman Leader Naomi Lasara, the South-South Woman Leader, Senator Ayo Akinyolore from Ondo State, Jubril Sabi Kiyana from Nasarawa State, former Attorney-General Barr. Mohamed Hassan Abdullahi, Nasarawa State gubernatorial candidate Hon. Asita Hon, and Niger Delta politician Nancy Stephens from Rivers State.

The town hall meeting is part of the ADC’s grassroots mobilisation and engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dar es Salaam. Academic excellence has opened a pathway to career opportunities for 13 Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) students, after the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) recognised their achievements and encouraged them to apply their knowledge to challenges facing the agricultural sector.

The students received the awards at a ceremony held at SUA on October 7, 2026, as part of TADB’s support for young people pursuing agriculture-related studies.

Speaking on behalf of TADB, Chief Human Resources Officer Edna Nyatta said the awards were part of the bank’s partnership with SUA to identify and support students excelling in agriculture-related fields.

She urged the students to continue learning, embrace innovation and apply their academic knowledge to address challenges facing the country, particularly in agriculture.

‘Your academic achievement is an important milestone, but the knowledge you have gained should ultimately be used to solve real challenges facing our country,’ she said.

Ms Nyatta said TADB also provides practical training opportunities through its Learn with Us programme, under which about 10 SUA students have secured internships, with six later obtaining permanent employment.

She said the initiative was in line with recent guidance from the Vice President on strengthening internship programmes to help young people gain practical experience and improve their prospects in the labour market.

SUA Vice Chancellor Professor Raphael Chibunda thanked TADB for supporting the awards and called on the bank to extend internship opportunities to the 13 students.

He said practical training would help students bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace demands, while better preparing them for employment and entrepreneurship in agriculture.

Nollywood actor, filmmaker and entrepreneur Femi Adebayo has reacted with surprise to the viral claims that his newly opened Euphoria 360 Hub is valued at ?40 billion.

Claims about the valuation of the facility located in Oregun, Lagos has been circulating online since it was commissioned on October 6, 2026, by Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.

The opening ceremony of the film hub was attended by prominent Nollywood figures including Odunlade Adekola, Kunle Afolayan and Ramsey Nouah.

Adebayo’s father, veteran actor Adebayo Salami (popularly known as Oga Bello), was visibly emotional during the ceremony, struggling to hold back tears as he spoke about his son’s achievement.

The massive complex was established as the headquarters of Adebayo’s Euphoria360 Media Limited.

It also included cinema-grade production studios, post-production suites for editing and colour grading, music video and event facilities, equipment rental, and the Euphoria360 Film Academy aimed at training emerging talent.

While Adebayo has not spoken about what it cost him to establish the facility, some netizens have estimated the cost of the massive studio which was commissioned with glitz and glamour at N40 billon.

Repeating this claim, an X post by one @Usmanashafe declared: ‘The studio is valued at 40billion naira ?? What a great investment by Femi Adebayo ???? Femi is BIG!!!!’Adebayo

However, Adebayo seemed not amused by the valuation as he questioned the basis for arriving at the humungous amount.

‘Valued at what?? What?? How? When, where? Wow!’ Adebayo responded, with a string of pointed questions that quickly went viral, quoting the post by the X user.

The actor’s puzzled response triggered a wave of reactions on X with some use treating the claim with humour and practical concern.

@hakmax posted an image alongside the comment: ‘FIRS and LIRS people already calculating how much tax to charge you. ??’

@adeyemijedediah wrote: ‘Potential investors don help you value your company. Nah you no know the value wetin you get. Tell them to bring 4 billion for a 10% stake.’

@IyegereS offered a more protective note: ‘Baba mi, dem wan put you for talk.’

Another user, @DejiAcre, jokingly asked: ‘Billionaire Femi Adebayo, please, when are you selling the IPO of your NGN 40 billion studio? ?? We the Nigerian investors, are waiting. ??’

One user noted that ‘Nigerians have problem with numbers,’ while others simply laughed at Adebayo’s evident shock, with posts such as ‘egbon shock’ and ‘Even you yourself shock ??????.’

For now, Femi Adebayo has left the valuation debate of the hub which had already hosted high-profile work, including the shoot for Davido’s ‘B4 B4’ music video, before its formal opening open

While several media reports and social media posts have described the project as a ?40 billion facility, Adebayo himself has not confirmed any such valuation.

Relatives of the rescued National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have voiced their grievances following the state operation, asserting that they were forced to pay multi-million naira ransoms to the kidnappers prior to the release.

P.M.NEWS recalls that abducted Corp members and another hostage were rescued by security agencies, including the military, Department of State Services, DSS, on Wednesday.

The families, however, while speaking with News Central Television, explained that they had sent up to 6million Naira to the abductors as ransom.

‘I paid as much as N3 million as ransom while I was hoping that nothing happened to my child. I ran helter-skelter to raise the money. I eventually got the money and sent someone to Imo State to deliver the ransom,’ a mother of one of the corps members told News Central Television.

‘We had to converge somewhere in Ibadan, Oyo State to put the money together. Some of us even changed the money to dollars and sent it to Imo State to meet whoever was coming to pick it,’ A father said, explaining that he paid N6 million for the release of his abducted son.

‘I am excited that my son is coming back. However, how do I repay the N6 million I borrowed? I’m just a farmer,’ he cried out.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the then governor of Rivers State offered the late Chief Daniel Orbih inducements to withdraw support for his governorship ambition, but the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain refused.

Wike spoke in Abuja on Wednesday during a night of tributes for Orbih, whom he credited with helping him become Rivers governor in 2015.

He traced their bond to the political struggles of 2013 and 2014, saying Orbih stood firm despite pressure from opponents seeking to derail his ambition.

‘There was nothing in this world that was not done to induce him. My governor then sent people to Dan, offered him everything in this world, but Dan stood firm and said, ‘No, I will not accept, I will not agree.”

Wike did not name the governor in his remarks.

Orbih, the PDP National Vice-Chairman, South South, hailed from Etsako in Edo State. He died on August 31 at the age of 64.

The minister described Orbih as the instrument God used to pave the way for his emergence as governor.

‘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,’ he said.

Wike said Orbih donated two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses to strengthen his security during the campaign and mobilised political support across the South South.

Despite those contributions, he said Orbih never sought contracts or personal favours throughout his eight years as governor.

‘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’s conduct demonstrated the loyalty and commitment that defined their friendship.

‘The only way I can identify a politician that is reliable is when that politician has stood in times of crisis. Loyalty, commitment to friendship, and being a brother’s keeper run in Dan’s family,’ he said.

Wike added that many serving national and state lawmakers would not have attained their positions without Orbih’s support and protection of the region’s interests.

He also credited Orbih with laying the foundation for cooperation across party lines in Edo State, saying the late politician supported several people without benefiting personally from their success.

The minister called for a state burial in recognition of Orbih’s contributions to Edo’s political development and urged stakeholders to act.

‘I will continue to keep my relationship with Dan’s family. I think I will also discuss with the family on how to keep the legacies of Dan,’ he said.

Also speaking, Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, said Orbih introduced him to politics.

Abe recalled serving as Director-General of Orbih’s first governorship campaign under the United Nigeria Congress Party and travelling across Edo with him.

‘Dan was indeed a bridge builder par excellence. We are gathered here today not because Dan is dead. We are gathered because of the life that he lived and that life impacted all of us in so many different ways,’ he said.

Former Edo governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, said Orbih’s scrutiny as an opposition leader made him a better governor.

He said he often considered how Orbih would assess his decisions, prompting him to prepare more thoroughly before taking action.

‘So my happiness today is that Dan and I, whatever our political differences we might have had, the truth is, Dan made me a better governor,’ Oshiomhole said.

He urged the family to take consolation in Orbih’s contributions to unity, progress and the development of Ogbona kingdom.

Oshiomhole also thanked Wike for reconciling him with Orbih after a prolonged political disagreement.

‘It was right at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt that Dan and I started hugging,’ he said.

In his tribute, Senator Sandy Onor described Orbih as a public intellectual, a defender of Edo heritage and a Nigerian patriot.

‘Dan was a great man by every measure, a true family man, a great husband, and a worthy father,’ Onor said.