President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo have paid tribute to the late former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, describing his death as a painful loss to the nation.
Tinubu, in a statement on Saturday, commiserated with the government and people of Benue State, praising Ogbeh’s “intellectual contributions to policy formulation” and his “articulation of practical solutions to complex national challenges.” The president’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, quoted him as saying:
“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.”
Ogbeh, a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), died at the age of 78, his family announced on Saturday.
Obasanjo, expressing shock over the news, described Ogbeh as “a peace-loving, unassuming, committed patriot and a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance.” He lauded the former minister’s political career, which spanned from the military era to the present democratic dispensation, adding:
“His place will be very difficult to fill within his community, the state, the party, and the nation.”
Similarly, the 19 northern governors, through a statement by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, hailed Ogbeh as “a towering political figure, a statesman of uncommon intellect, and an iconic son of Northern Nigeria” whose legacy in democratic development and public service would remain indelible.
The Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Nenadi Usman, also described him as “a principled and patriotic public servant” and, on a personal note, “a father and a mentor” who offered wise counsel and guidance whenever called upon.
Ogbeh’s decades-long career saw him hold various roles in politics and governance, earning respect across political divides for his intellect, calm demeanour, and commitment to national progress.