Black Saturday as former PDP Chairman, Audu Ogbeh dies at 78

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One of Nigeria’s foremost, finest and respected politicians and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh, has died at 78 years.

Though a family message on various media platforms confirmed his passage, but were mute on the cause and place of his demise.

The message said: “He 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 examples he set.”

He was Chairman and Managing Director of Efugo Farms, Makurdi,

Late Chief Ogbeh was born on 28th July, 1947 in Otukpo in present Benue State and was Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2015 to 2019. He previously served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2001 and January 2005.

At just 35 years in 1982, he was appointed Minister of Communications and later became Minister of Steel Development during the Shehu Shagari administration.

He was known for his literary works, and has written five plays which include three published works. One of his plays, the ‘Epitaph of Simon Kisulu’ was staged at Muson Center, Lagos in 2002.

Late Ogbeh attended King’s College, Lagos from 1967 to 1969, then studied at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1969 to 1972 and proceeded to the University of Toulouse, France from 1973 to 1974. He lectured at the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1972 to 1976, and headed the then department of humanities, Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology, Makurdi from 1977 to 1979.

In 1979, he contested for office in the Benue State House of Assembly on the Platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), becoming Deputy Speaker.