Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh, a former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has died at the age of 78.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement, the deceased’s family revealed that he died peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
The family expressed gratitude to friends, colleagues, and well-wishers for their prayers and support, adding that details of his funeral arrangements would be communicated later. They also appealed for privacy during the mourning period.
The statement reads, “He departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service and dedication to our nation and community. We are comforted by the many lives he touched and the examples he set.”
“Details of the funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.”
“We thank friends, colleagues and well-wishers for their prayers and support during this time.”
“We will appreciate some privacy at this time while we mourn the loss of our patriarch.”
Born on July 28, 1947, in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh served in various capacities in Nigeria’s public life. He was Minister of Agriculture from 2015 to 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, and PDP National Chairman from 2001 to 2005.
Earlier in his political career, he was Minister of Communications and later Minister of Steel Development in the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari until the 1983 military coup.
Beyond politics, Ogbeh was a farmer, entrepreneur, and playwright, known for works such as ‘ The Epitaph of Simon Kisulu’, staged at the Muson Centre in 2002.
