A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ex-Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, is dead.
This was contained in a statement on Saturday, August 9, 2025 by the Ogbeh family which stated that the elder statesman died peacefully on Saturday at the age of 78.
The statement stated; “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,” it said.
The family noted Ogbeh departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation and community, saying; “We are comforted by the many lives he touched and the example he set”.
The statement said 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.
The family also said it would appreciate some privacy at this time while they mourn the loss of their patriarch.
His Brief Biography
The late Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh was a Nigerian farmer, politician and playwright who served as the minister of agriculture and rural development from 2015 to 2019 and was chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001 until January 2005.
He also served as the minister of communications in the Nigerian Second Republic from 1982 to 1983 and was well known for his literary works.
Ogbeh wrote five plays, which included three published works. One of his plays, the “Epitaph of Simon Kisulu” was staged at Muson Centre in 2002.
Ogbeh, who was of Idoma background, was born on July 28, 1947, in present day Benue State and 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.
His 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 and in 1982, he was appointed as Minister of Communications, and later 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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), replacing Chief Barnabas Gemade, a position he held 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.
In December 2005, Ogbeh formally resigned from the PDP.
