Former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, has died at the age of 76. According to his family, he passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
Ogbeh, who served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2001 and 2005, was a prominent political figure from Benue State in North Central Nigeria. His political career spanned decades, starting as deputy speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly from 1979 to 1982.
He was Minister of Agriculture from November 2015 to May 2019 during the first term of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Known for his outspoken views, Ogbeh often criticized government policies while advocating for national unity and development.
In one of his final interviews in March 2025, he advised President Bola Tinubu to seek mediation in the Rivers State political crisis instead of declaring a state of emergency, stressing the importance of peace in the Niger Delta.
President Tinubu expressed condolences to the government and people of Benue State, praising Ogbeh’s “intellectual contributions to policy formulation” and describing him as a patriot whose wisdom left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo called Ogbeh a “peace-loving, unassuming, committed patriot” and highlighted his role in the re-establishment of democracy in Nigeria.
Ogbeh’s death comes less than a month after the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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