Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbehhas passed on leaving many visions unrealised.
The one-time National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party also had passions for national food security and good governance.
A statement by the Ogbeh family disclosed that the elder statesman died peacefully on Saturday. He was 78.
“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 statement read.
The family described Ogbeh as a man who “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 statement added.
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It noted that details of the funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course, while expressing gratitude to friends, colleagues, and well-wishers for their prayers and support.
“We will appreciate some privacy at this time while we mourn the loss of our patriarch,” the statement concluded.
Audu Innocent Ogbeh was a Nigerian farmer, playwright and politician who served as the minister of agriculture and rural development from 2015 to 2019.
He was chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001 until January 2005. He served as the minister of communications in the Nigerian Second Republic from 1982 to 1983.
He was known for his literary works and had written five plays, which included three published works. One of his plays, the “Epitaph of Simon Kisulu” was staged at Muson Centre in 2002.
Ogbeh was born on 28 July 1947, in present day Benue State. He was of Idoma background. He attended King’s College, Lagos from 1967 to 1969, then studied at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1969 to 1972 and the University of Toulouse, France from 1973 to 1974. He lectured at the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1972 to 1976, and headed the department of humanities, Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology from 1977 to 1979.
● Political career
In 1979, he ran for office in the Benue State House of Assembly on the Platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), becoming deputy speaker of the house. In 1982, he was appointed Federal Minister of Communications, and later became Minister of Steel Development. His term of office ended in December 1983, when a military coup brought Major-General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
In 2001, he was appointed National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, replacing Chief Barnabas Gemade. He held this position until January 2005, when he was forced to resign due to his criticism of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s handling of a crisis in Anambra State.
Talking to reporters, however, Ogbeh claimed that he resigned only to avoid conflict within the party, and due to a desire to return to farming.
● Later career
In December 2005, Ogbeh formally resigned from the PDP.
As of 2009, he was chairman and managing director, Efugo Farms, Makurdi, and a member of Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships Incorporated, based in Philadelphia, United States of America.
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