President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo led other prominent political figures to pay tributes to the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who died on Saturday at the age of 78.
A statement by the Ogbeh family confirmed that the elder statesman died peacefully.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Chief Audu Ogbeh,” the family said.
Ogbeh’s family described him as a man who “departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation and community.”
 They expressed gratitude to friends, colleagues and well-wishers for their prayers and support, adding that funeral details would be announced later.
Born in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later the University of Toulouse in France, where he rose from teaching assistant to head of the Language, Arts and Social Sciences Department at Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology in 1977.
His political career began with his election to the Benue State House of Assembly in 1979, where he served as Deputy Speaker.
He later became Minister of Communications (1982–1983) and Minister of Steel Development until the December 1983 coup.
 Ogbeh took a break from politics to focus on agriculture, running rice mills, cashew plantations, and agricultural consultancy projects.
He returned to national service with his membership of National Constitutional Conference Commission (1993) and the National Reconciliation Committee (1995).
A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ogbeh served as National Chairman (2001–2005) of the party, and opposed Obasanjo’s third-term agenda—a move that led to his resignation.
 He later served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
 Leading the tributes, President Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, acknowledged Ogbeh’s intellectual contributions to policy formulation and his articulation of practical solutions to complex national challenges.
He also recognised that Ogbeh, who joined politics in the 70s as a legislator, was a founding member of the All Progressives Congress.
 “Chief Audu Ogbeh was a patriot whose wisdom, dedication, and pursuit of progress left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape. He was always ready with facts and figures to support his propositions. The nation will sorely miss his insightful perspectives and wealth of experience,” Tinubu said.
In his tribute, Former President Obasanjo expressed sadness at Ogbeh’s demise.
Obasanjo, who is in Uganda on a visit, described the late Minister as a peace-loving, unassuming, committed patriot and a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President stated that Ogbeh was “a man whose political career stretched from the military era through the present democratic dispensation.
“Chief Audu Ogbeh will be missed for his unwavering commitment to politics, governance and democracy as he made significant contributions to the re-establishment of democracy in Nigeria. His place will be very difficult to fill within his community, the State, the Party and the nation.”
Similarly, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, described Ogbeh as one of the rare public figures whose words carried the weight of integrity.
“In his work and my encounters with him, I saw a man deeply rooted in good values and genuinely concerned for the interest of the people he served.
“Our nation has lost a voice of reason and a heart of service. I extend my condolences to his wife, children, the entire Ogbeh family, and all who mourn his passing. May the Almighty grant them the strength and fortitude to bear this great and irreparable loss,” Saraki wrote on his verified X handle.
Also, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, speaking on behalf of the forum, described Ogbeh as a towering political figure, a statesman of uncommon intellect, and an iconic son of northern Nigeria.
Yahaya said Ogbeh brought dignity and depth to every office he held and served the country with integrity and commitment.
He added that his death was “a huge loss not only to Benue State and the North, but to the entire nation.”
Also, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, said he received the report of the demise of the former minister with sadness.
 In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the governor expressed regrets over Ogbeh’s death.
 He said the consolation was that Ogbeh lived a successful and fulfilled life, and was greatly respected and admired by many, adding that his legacies would be remembered.
 The state read partly, “He, however, states that as a politician, former Federal Minister of Communications, former Minister of Steel Development, former chairman of the PDP, farmer and playwright, the late Chief Ogbeh lived a successful and fulfilled life, and was greatly respected and admired by many, adding that his legacies will always be remembered.”
In his tribute, former Delta State governor, James Ibori, hailed Ogbeh as “one of the most effective chairmen the PDP ever produced.
“He was not about money or bribes; he upheld internal democracy in the party and was a man of integrity.
“As National Chairman, he had express instructions to prevent me from running in 2003, but he was too decent to act on such underhanded schemes. On behalf of myself, my wife, and my entire family, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, and the good people of Benue State. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” Ibori said in a statement.
