Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, has passed away at 78.
He died on Saturday, August 9, 2025, according to his family.
Ogbeh was a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, serving as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001 to 2005 and Minister of Agriculture from 2015 to 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Born on July 28, 1947, in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh was a seasoned politician, writer, and farmer.
He studied at Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Toulouse, France. Ogbeh’s political journey began in 1979 when he was elected as Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, a position he held until 1982.
*Notable Positions*
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Ogbeh served Minister of Communications between 1982 and 1983, during the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari’s administration.
As National Chairman of PDP between 2001 and 2005, he was known for his principled stance against corruption and mismanagement.
Ogbeh spearheaded policies to boost local food production, especially rice, and championed rural development initiatives.
He was known for his frank views and was often unsparing in his criticism of government policies.
In his last interview with Channels Television in March 2025, he advised President Bola Tinubu to pursue dialogue rather than impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning of the risks of unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
President Bola Tinubu praised Ogbeh’s intellectual contributions to policy formulation and his dedication to Nigeria’s progress
He said, ”Chief Audu Ogbeh was a patriot whose wisdom, dedication, and pursuit of progress left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape. ”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, described Ogbeh as “a peace-loving, unassuming, committed patriot and a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance.”
Obasanjo noted that Ogbeh’s political career spanned both the military and democratic eras, and his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy would be sorely missed.
