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

This was contained In a statement signed and issued by the late Elder Statesman’s family on Saturday.
According to the statement, the elder statesman passed away peacefully on August 9, 2025.
It read in part: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Chief Audu Ogbeh,” the statement read. “He departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation and community.”
The family described Ogbeh as a man who touched many lives and set a sterling example through decades of public service.
The late Audu Ogbeh was born on 28 July 1947, in Otukpa, present day Benue State. He attended King’s College, Lagos from 1967 to 1969, then studied at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1969 to 1972 and the University of Toulouse, France from 1973 to 1974.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, was a former university lecturer, who also put his resourcefulness into farming.
He became a politician in 1979, when he was elected into the Benue State House of Assembly, where he was the deputy speaker.
Ogbeh, later served as a minister three times, under Presidents Shehu Shagari and Muhammadu Buhari. He was also the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2001 and 2005 under former President Olusegun.