Abuja, Nigeria – August 9, 2025
Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh, has died at the age of 78.
In an official statement released on Saturday, the Ogbeh family confirmed the elder statesman’s peaceful passing earlier in the day.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Chief Audu Ogbeh,” the statement read.
Born on 28 July 1947 in Benue State, Ogbeh was a farmer, playwright, and veteran politician. He served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2015 to 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari, and was National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2001 and 2005. His earlier political career included ministerial roles in Communications and Steel Development during the Second Republic.
Tributes have begun pouring in from political leaders, colleagues, and citizens, praising Ogbeh’s decades-long commitment to national development, agricultural reform, and rural empowerment. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
This report has been verified through multiple credible Nigerian news outlets, with details corroborated by an official family announcement.