Dan Orbih: Between Appointment and Disappointment

By John Mayaki

A contradiction has emerged in Edo state and the man at the centre of it all is Chief Dan Osi Orbih. The one and only ally of former Rivers State governor and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Once the boogeyman of former governor Adams Oshiomhole’s nightmares, Orbih was the ever-present thorn in the flesh of that administration, who also made sure there was no easy sleep or reckless governance during the Oshiomhole’s tenure. He fought. He toiled. And he kept the PDP’s torch aflame. Orbih has become a political legend in his own right.

But, the tables have turned. Today, Orbih has been appointed as the chairman of the governing council of Ambrose Alli University; not by his PDP government but by an APC-led governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo. And since the appointment was announced, so also did disappointment followed. The wailing and gnashing of teeth from some PDP faithful has reached mount Olympus. The echo of their cries of betrayal and disappointment is even louder than the university’s registration queues. They are crying bitterly.

Don’t forget, during Godwin Obaseki’s PDP – led government, Orbih was left out in the cold. It’s good we rewind that, in order to refresh our memories. His contribution to put the PDP in shape in the state was forgotten. No appointment. No recognition, just a man in his shadows. During the period, these weeping now didn’t consider Orbih good for patronage but now that the APC has seen value in him, they’re crying foul.

Someone people called it, “bad belle”. They say, “if you mix two tablespoons of envy with a sprinkle of hypocrisy, it would be directly proportional to the disappointment being exhibited by those suffering from political amnesia”.

One of the critics retorted thus: “how could Orbih accept an appointment from the APC?” And I asked him, “were you planning to appoint him yourself? He answered me saying, “but it’s betrayal”. I wasn’t short of words. I answered him, “betrayal? He wasn’t in your good books, and now he’s not in your bad books either. He’s simply out of your library altogether. That’s what it seems”.

The whole thing about this contradiction begs the question: does appointment bring disappointment? Or does disappointment fuel appointment envy? On one hand, Orbih has secured a prestigious role, proving to us that his value transcends party lines but on the other hand, those who are supposed to rejoice with him are playing the victim, as we can feel their disappointment as loud as their inaction.

In all honesty, if Orbih’s appointment disappoints you, then peradventure the problem isn’t Orbih. It’s you. When he was with you, he wasn’t worthy to seat at the table. Now, you’re upset he’s dinning elsewhere. This is entitlement wrapped in petty jealousy. Far beyond disappointment.

Seriously speaking, the real thing isn’t about Orbih’s appointment but what it means for the state. Are we about to witness a fresh atmosphere of bipartisan cooperation just as we can see in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership?

I see appointment; a call to service. Others see disappointment; sheer pettiness. I see progress and most importantly, in Ambrose Alli University. It’s a call to responsibility. A call to led in the restoration of the dreams of the founding father of the University – envisioned as an institution that would rival the best in the country, create an atmosphere of excellence that would uplift the region and inspire future generations. This is the task and mandate before Chief Dan Orbih, among others.

Now, Orbih holds the baton and this is under the leadership of a son of the soil, being the governor and steering the ship. The university must reclaim its place of learning and innovation. It must not only rank among the best but compete regionally and nationally. And anything less would prove that the cries of disappointment were not unwarranted.

And so, to the man who has caused so much disappointments in the camp of his political enemies, Chief Dan Orbih, this is your moment to silence critics and justify the appointment. Make the reforms, drive the vision, and deliver results.

Congratulations!