By Swill Mavua
Audu Ogbeh, a Nigerian politician, farmer, and playwright died August 9, 2025, aged 78. He left an indelible mark on the country’s political landscape. He was, no doubt, a star from the Middle Belt. Born on July 28, 1947, in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh hailed from an Idoma background.
Early life and education pursuit had the young Audu Ogbeh attend King’s College, Lagos, from 1967 to 1969, before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied French. He was to later earn a master’s degree in Literature from the University of Toulouse, France. His academic background laid the foundation for his future endeavors in politics, literature, and agriculture
Ogbeh’s political journey began in 1979 when he was elected Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). He later serve as:
- Minister of Communications (1982-1983) and Minister of Steel Development under President Shehu Shagari’s administration.
With an abrupt end of the Second Republic through Muhammadu Buhari’s coup of December 31, 1983, he went into private life; majorly concerning himself to farming and literary art. He remained within those turf until the birth of the Fourth Republic in 1999. And like a Colossus, he breezed into the political arena to hold many high ranking positions again; serving in various categories as
- National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001 to 2005, during which he had a public disagreement with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, leading to his resignation and later jumping ship to APC
- Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2015 to 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, where he championed food security and promoted local rice production
Outside politics, Ogbeh was a passionate farmer and playwright. He ran his own farm in Benue State and wrote several plays, including “The Epitaph of Simon Kisulu,” which was staged at the Muson Centre in 2002. He was also a member of the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships Incorporated, based in Philadelphia, United States
Ogbeh was married to Justina Obehi from Ekpoma, Edo State, with whom he had five children, including Ogwa Iweze. His daughter, Odema Akerele, passed away in February 2024, just a year and a half before his own passing
Audu Ogbeh passed to the great beyond yesterday, leaving behind a legacy of principled leadership, dedication to public service, and commitment to national development. His contributions to Nigerian politics, agriculture, and governance will be remembered for generations to come. As it were, he came, he saw and he conquered… Adieu Audu Ogbeh!
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