Ex PDP national chairperson, Audu Ogbeh, is dead

Remembering ex PDP chairman Chief Audu Ogbeh: A Life of Service, Farming and the Written Word

ByDevon Ekki

Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh — teacher, farmer, playwright, lawmaker and two-time federal minister — died peacefully on 9 August 2025 at the age of 78. His family announced his passing in a statement that described him as a man of “integrity, service, and dedication” whose life touched many across Nigeria.

Who was Audu Ogbeh?

Born in Otukpo, Benue State on 28 July 1947, Ogbeh built a life that moved easily between the classroom, the farm and the corridors of power. He trained at Ahmadu Bello University and later at the University of Toulouse in France. Early in his career he rose to become head of the Language, Arts and Social Sciences Department at Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology before stepping into elected office as a member (and Deputy Speaker) of the Benue State House of Assembly in 1979.

Public service and political courage Ogbeh served in the Second Republic as Federal Minister of Communications (1982–1983) and later returned to national politics as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001 to 2005. He is widely remembered for taking a principled stand against a proposed third-term presidential bid in the early 2000s — a decision that shaped his public image and led to his resignation as party chair... Read complete content click link below

Continue Reading The Post

Also join our community and comment on this topic in the forum.

Go to Forum Thread

Minister of Agriculture: farming meets policy In the Buhari administration, Ogbeh served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2015 to 2019. He brought real-world farming experience to the role: before his return to public office he invested in rice mills, cashew plantations and community agricultural projects. That blend of practical farming knowledge and policy responsibility became a hallmark of his tenure.

Beyond politics — the writer and the farmer Ogbeh was also a man of letters. He authored several plays and literary works; one of his notable plays, Epitaph of Simon Kisulu, was staged at the Muson Centre in 2002. His creative side reminded many that public life and art can coexist — and that empathy and storytelling are useful tools in leadership.

What his passing means

For many Nigerians, Ogbeh’s death is the loss of an elder statesman who bridged academia, agriculture and politics. He occupied spaces often treated as separate — the classroom, the farm, the party convention hall — and in doing so offered a model of leadership rooted in practical work and thoughtful speech. His family’s request for privacy as arrangements are made is being honored by friends, colleagues and the wider public.

Lessons from a life lived steadily Lead with the work: Ogbeh’s life shows that credibility comes from doing — farming, teaching, or building projects — not only from titles. Stand for principle: His resignation over the third-term push is a reminder that long-term reputation often matters more than short-term gain. Make space for creativity: Writing plays and participating in culture kept his politics human and relatable. How to remember him thoughtfully

If you want to honor Ogbeh’s legacy, consider small, practical steps that reflect his life: support local farming initiatives, donate a book to a school, or attend community events that foster public conversation. These acts mirror the bridges he built between policy, practice and culture.

Chief Audu Ogbeh’s story is not only one of offices held but of steady work, clear principles and creative expression. In remembering him we are reminded that public service is most durable when it grows from lived experience and a willingness to speak the truth as one sees it.

[source Links] Punch — Former minister, ex-PDP chairman Audu Ogbeh dies at 78. Vanguard — Former minister, Audu Ogbeh, dies at 78. Premium Times — Ex-PDP national chairperson, Audu Ogbeh, is dead. The Guardian — Farmer, lecturer, playwright: 10 facts about late Audu Ogbeh. Wikipedia — Audu Ogbeh (summary of career and life).

 

This article is also published as a forum topic here »

Similar Posts