E247 mag reports: Nigeria is mourning the loss of one of its most respected political elders, Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh, who died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 78. The former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and one-time National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), passed away on Friday, August 9, 2025, leaving behind a towering legacy of service, integrity, and nation-building.
The news was confirmed in a statement by his family, which read in part: “With heavy hearts, we announce that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh, departed peacefully. He leaves 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.”
Who Was Audu Ogbeh — A Statesman, Farmer, and Playwright
Born on July 28, 1947, in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh carved out a political career spanning more than four decades. He first rose to prominence in 1979 as Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly before being appointed Minister of Communications in 1982 under President Shehu Shagari.
In 2001, Ogbeh became National Chairman of the PDP, steering the party through turbulent times until his resignation in 2005 after clashing with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo over governance issues. Years later, in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Minister of Agriculture, a position he held until 2019, championing food security and rural development.
Beyond politics, Ogbeh was a farmer and an accomplished playwright, known for works such as Epitaph for Simon Kisulu. His agricultural venture, Efugo Farms, became a model for integrated farming in Nigeria, inspiring young agripreneurs.