President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo have paid tribute to the late Audu Ogbeh, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, describing his passing as painful and noting that his place would be hard to fill.
Ogbeh died on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the age of 78.
President Bola Tinubu described Ogbeh as a patriot who made significant intellectual contributions to policy formulation and practical solutions to complex national challenges.
Tinubu acknowledged Ogbeh’s dedication to Nigeria’s progress, saying, “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 praised Ogbeh as a peace-loving, unassuming, and committed patriot who firmly believed in democracy and participatory governance.
Obasanjo noted that Ogbeh’s political career spanned both military and democratic eras, making him a significant figure in Nigeria’s history ¹.
Meanwhile, 19 Northern Governors described Ogbeh as a towering political figure, statesman, and iconic son of Northern Nigeria who devoted his life to national development and public service.
They hailed him as an accomplished leader, seasoned politician, and multifaceted scholar.
Nenadi Usman, Interim National Chairman of Labour Party, mourned Ogbeh’s passing, describing him as a principled and patriotic public servant.
She said Ogbeh was like a father and mentor to her, offering wise counsel whenever called upon.
Audu Ogbeh was a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, serving as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001 to 2005.
He was known for his frank views and contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural development.
