President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo have described the passing of former Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbeh as painful, saying the place of the “patriot” and “firm believer in democracy” will be hard to fill.
In a statement on Saturday, Tinubu expressed his sympathies to the government and people of Benue State on the passing of Ogbeh.
The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) died at the age of 78 on Saturday, his family announced.
Tinubu acknowledged “Ogbeh’s intellectual contributions to policy formulation and his articulation of practical solutions to complex national challenges”.
“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,” the president’s aide Bayo Onanuga said.
Also, Obasanjo has expressed shock and sadness at the demise of Ogbeh.
He described the late minister as a peace-loving, unassuming, committed patriot and a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance.
Obasanjo said the former PDP leader 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,” he said.
Similarly, former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of Chief Audu Ogbeh, describing him as a “distinguished public servant, experienced politician, and respected elder statesman.”
In a condolence message, Jonathan hailed the late Ogbeh’s decades of service to Nigeria, noting that his life was defined by patriotism, humility, and a steadfast commitment to national unity and development.
“Chief Ogbeh’s life was marked by a deep sense of patriotism and selfless service to our dear country,” Jonathan stated.
On its part, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has expressed sadness over the passing of a former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, at the age of 78.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, said this in a statement issued by Segun Imohiosen Director, Information and Public Relations in his office in Abuja.
FEC, according to Akume, described Ogbeh’s death as a great loss to the nation.
Akume said the deceased served Nigeria in various capacities, including as Minister of Communications in the Second Republic and later as Minister of Agriculture under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said Ogbeh’s passing was also a personal loss, noting that they shared a bond rooted in their Benue heritage and commitment to national service.
The SGF recalled that Ogbeh joined politics in the 1970s as a legislator and remained steadfast in championing national unity and development.
He condoled with the government and people of Benue, the deceased’s family, friends and political associates, praying for the repose of his soul.
In his condolence, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has described the death of the former Agriculture Minister and nationalist, Chief Audu Ogbeh, as a “loss of a patriot and principled politician”.
Abubakar, in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja, described Ogbeh as a “quintessential gentleman, affable and amiable friend and reliable political ally”, whose immense contributions to nation-building would be sorely missed.
Abubakar recalled that Ogbeh’s chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001-2005, was impactful.
He described the multi-linguist, farmer, politician, as also a renowned family man, an Idoma community steward, and a great ambassador of Nigeria globally.
“He was a detribalized and development-minded politician. One who combined intellectualism with pragmatism. He was also a true defender of liberal democracy. His type is difficult to replace”.
Abubakar commiserated with the family, friends, the people of Benue, and Nigerians at large.
Also, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has mourned the death of Chief Audu Ogbeh, who died on Saturday at the age of 78.
Alia, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, in Makurdi, said that he received the news of Ogbeh’s death with deep regret.
The governor also said that he was saddened over the death of the elder statesman and former Deputy Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, who lived a successful and fulfilled life, and was greatly respected and admired by many.
According to Alia, the late elder statesman’s legacies will always be remembered.
He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his immediate family, the Idoma nation, the entire people of Benue State and Nigeria as a whole the fortitude to bear the loss.
Similarly, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of former Minister and elder statesman, Chief Audu Ogbeh, describing his passing as a great loss to the nation.
A statement by the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tanko Muhammad-Baba, described late Ogbeh as a committed nationalist, respected politician, and one of the Nigeria’s large-scale farmers.
The forum noted that Ogbeh served as Chairman of the ACF’s National Executive Council between 2020 and 2023, and until his death, he was the Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Committee, planning the Forum’s upcoming 25th Anniversary celebration.
“ACF’s celebration of the late Chief Ogbeh is therefore one to a man who had paid his dues well. He was certainly a nationalist and a committed son of Arewa,” the statement stated.