Former minister of agriculture and rural development, Audu Ogbeh, has died at the age of 78.
The former PDP national chairman died on Saturday, according to a statement released by the family.
“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 the elder statesman 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.
It said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced later and expressed 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.
Born on July 28, 1947, in Otukpa, present-day Benue State, Ogbeh attended King’s College, Lagos; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the University of Toulouse in France.
He began his career lecturing at Ahmadu Bello University before becoming head of the humanities department at the Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology in 1977.
Ogbeh ventured into politics in 1979 as Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly. He later served as minister of communications and minister of steel development before the December 1983 coup ended the Second Republic.
A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, he served as its national chairman from 2001 to 2005. His principled opposition to then-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term agenda led to his resignation.
Under President Muhammadu Buhari, Ogbeh returned to national service as minister of agriculture and rural development from 2015 to 2019.
Outside politics, he was a playwright and farmer. His play Epitaph of Simon Kisulu was staged at the Muson Centre in 2002.
His death comes one and a half years after that of his daughter, Odema Akerele, who died in February 2024 at the age of 41.
Akerele, chief operating officer of Rendeavour and Alaro City, was buried in a private ceremony following a requiem mass at the Church of the Assumption in Asokoro, Abuja. A service of songs moderated by actress Chigul was held in her honour.
Chairman of the Northern State Governors’ Forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, described Ogbeh as “a towering political figure, a statesman of uncommon intellect” whose commitment to national development will remain in history.
