Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has died at the age of 78.

A statement from the Ogbeh family on Saturday confirmed the passing of the elder statesman, noting that he died peacefully.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather; Chief Audu Ogbeh. He passed away on the 9th of August 2025 at the fulfilled age of 78,” the statement read.

The family described him as a man who “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 example he set,” the statement added. It noted that details of the funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course, while expressing gratitude to friends, colleagues, and well-wishers for their prayers and support.

“We will appreciate some privacy at this time while we mourn the loss of our patriarch,” the statement concluded.

Born in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh studied at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later at the University of Toulouse in France. He began his career in academia, rising to head the Language, Arts, and Social Sciences Department at Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology in 1977.

Ogbeh’s political journey began with his election to the Benue State House of Assembly in 1979, where he served as Deputy Speaker. He later became Federal Minister of Communications (1982–1983) and Minister of Steel Development until the December 1983 coup ended the Second Republic.

Outside politics, Ogbeh was deeply involved in agriculture, establishing rice mills, a cashew plantation, community agricultural projects, and consultancy services. He returned to public service as a member of the National Constitutional Conference Commission (1993) and the National Reconciliation Committee (1995).

A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he served as National Chairman from 2001 to 2005, famously opposing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term bid, a move that led to his resignation.

In 2015, Ogbeh was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, a position he held until 2019.