Nigeria has lost one of its prominent elder statesmen, Chief Audu Ogbeh, a former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He died on Saturday at the age of 78.
In a statement issued by the Ogbeh family, the respected politician and public servant was said to have “passed away peacefully” on August 9, 2025.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather; Chief Audu Ogbeh. He passed away on the 9th of August 2025 at the fulfilled age of 78,” the family stated.
Describing him as a man of integrity and service, the statement added: “He departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation and community. We are comforted by the many lives he touched and the example he set.”
The family noted that details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course, while requesting privacy during the mourning period. “We will appreciate some privacy at this time while we mourn the loss of our patriarch,” it said.
Born in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later the University of Toulouse in France. He began his career in academia, rising to Head of the Language, Arts and Social Sciences Department at Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology in 1977.
He ventured into politics in 1979 when he was elected to the Benue State House of Assembly, serving as Deputy Speaker. He later became Federal Minister of Communications (1982–1983) and Minister of Steel Development until the military coup of December 1983 ended the Second Republic.
After leaving public office, Ogbeh focused on agriculture, establishing rice mills, cashew plantations, community farming projects, and consultancy services. He returned to national service as a member of the National Constitutional Conference Commission (1993) and the National Reconciliation Committee (1995).
A founding member of the PDP, he served as its National Chairman from 2001 to 2005, taking a principled stand against then-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term agenda, a decision that led to his resignation.
In 2015, Ogbeh was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under President Muhammadu Buhari, a position he held until 2019.
A man of many talents, he was also a playwright, with works such as Epitaph of Simon Kisulu, which was performed at the Muson Centre in 2002.
