Late Audu Ogbeh,

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and governors from Nigeria’s northern region have expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Audu Ogbeh, a former Minister of Agriculture and ex-chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who died at the age of 78.

In a statement issued Saturday, President Tinubu paid tribute to Ogbeh, describing him as a visionary patriot and staunch advocate of democracy.

He extended condolences to Ogbeh’s family, the people of Benue State, and the nation at large.

Tinubu acknowledged Ogbeh’s invaluable role in shaping national policies and his ability to provide practical solutions to Nigeria’s complex issues.

“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 president’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, said.

“The nation will sorely miss his insightful perspectives and wealth of experience.”

Similarly, former President Obasanjo expressed profound sadness and shock at Ogbeh’s death. He praised the late politician for his humility, patriotism, and lifelong dedication to democratic values.

“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,” Obasanjo stated.

He described Ogbeh as “a peace-loving, unassuming, committed patriot and a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance,” noting that his political journey spanned from the military era into Nigeria’s current democratic dispensation.

The 19 governors from Northern Nigeria also issued a collective statement mourning Ogbeh’s loss.

Through their spokesperson, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa of Gombe State, they praised him as a respected figure and public servant who made lasting contributions to Nigeria’s development.

Ogbeh, they said, was “a towering political figure, a statesman of uncommon intellect, and an iconic son of Northern Nigeria who devoted his life to national development and public service.”

“An accomplished leader, a seasoned politician and a multifaceted scholar whose contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey and development will remain etched in history,” Inuwa noted on behalf of the governors.

Also reacting to the news, the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Nenadi Usman, paid a heartfelt tribute to Ogbeh’s character and legacy.

She described him as a selfless public servant who consistently provided guidance and wisdom.

“On a personal note, I have lost a father and a mentor. From when I met him till his passing, Chief Ogbeh never wavered in his readiness to offer wise counsel and guidance whenever called upon,” she said.

“While we mourn this illustrious Nigerian, we must take solace in the fact that Chief Ogbeh lived a truly fulfilled life.”

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has cautioned politicians seeking to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State that no one will be handed an automatic ticket or allowed to seize control of the party structure.

Speaking during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu on Saturday, Nnaji addressed rising speculations about high-profile politicians aiming to join the party and possibly dominate its internal affairs.

He described these individuals as “politically displaced politicians” who, according to him, are lobbying in Abuja with hopes of hijacking APC in Enugu through unconventional means.

While he didn’t directly name anyone, his comments were widely interpreted as a veiled reference to Governor Peter Mbah, who is rumored to be considering joining the APC.

Nnaji made it clear that all new entrants would be required to go through the party’s nomination process.

“APC has come to stay; that is why from every nook and cranny, people want to join APC. And as we said earlier, we want people to come in, but we will not give them a free ticket; they must go to the contest,” he stated.

“Anybody who wants to run for the governorship of Enugu State, let him come to the APC, we will go to contest, we are waiting for them.”

“We want to populate the party, provided the person is going to look after the party when he gets in, we don’t have a problem.”

He went on to emphasize that no political figure, regardless of status, would be given preferential treatment.

“So, if the President of Nigeria wants to come and run for the governor of Enugu State, let him come, we will support him.”

“If the former governor of anywhere wants to join us, let him come; we will run the primaries. It will make it even easier, the primary will be the main election. So that when we finish with the primary, we know we have finished.”

Taking a swipe at the unnamed individuals considering defection, Nnaji added:

“But let me tell you, he will not enter, he is afraid, because there are too many IDPs in Enugu, Internally Displaced Politicians, many of them, they are partyless, they don’t have a party.”

“That’s why we are urging him to come, but he will not come. He is an internally displaced politician, he doesn’t have party, he is partyless, we want him to come, he will be running from pillar to post, until it is too late.”

He concluded with a note of confidence in the party’s direction and divine backing:

“But the good thing is that this our mission is being supported by the good Lord who created us, so we are heading to the government house.”

“This is part of the confusion that they will be seeing, that they will be meeting until it becomes too late for them. So, we have a focus, we know where we are going and we will keep going there.”

Nnaji also commended the leadership of the APC in Enugu State, particularly State Chairman Ugochukwu Agballah and the party’s executives from ward to state level, for their commitment and perseverance.

He promised that their dedication would not go unrewarded.

Meanwhile, three members of the House of Representatives who recently defected from the Labour Party; Hon. Sunday Umeha (Udi/Ezeagu), Hon. Chimobi Atu (Enugu North/Enugu South) and Hon. Prof. Paul Nnamchi pledged their loyalty and support to the APC, vowing to ensure the party’s victory across all levels in the 2027 elections.

Umeha recalled how he took the lead in defecting to the APC despite intense discouragement, later followed by Atu and Nnamchi.

He disclosed that additional lawmakers, including a senator, are expected to join the party soon.

Agballah affirmed that the party’s growth in Enugu State is largely due to Minister Nnaji’s personal commitment and financial support over the past year.

He urged party members to actively engage in the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He also stressed the importance of voter card possession:

“There will be a primary in APC, there will be proper nomination in APC,” he stated, adding that by the end of August, attending ward meetings without a voter card would no longer be accepted.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has proposed a single five-year term for the office of the Nigerian President, stating that the current system encourages distraction and undermines national development.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Friday, Obi argued that the idea of a second-term bid has become a hindrance to focused leadership.

“I’ve said it and I want to say it again in this Government House that if I have the opportunity, we should stop having a second tenure for president,” Obi said.

He recommended the adoption of a five-year single term, similar to the system in South Korea, suggesting it would compel elected leaders to prioritise governance over politics.

“It should be five years straight, so that people can come in knowingly they have a job to do.
What people do now is to be president for one year and use the rest of the years thinking about their next tenure. We must stop it. Let’s face the real job, do your own and go,” he added.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Obi, a declared hopeful, promised that if elected, he would serve only a single term.

He also pledged to strengthen the political system by ensuring that political parties, not individuals, hold the real power.

“I want the party to be bigger than the president and the governors so that we can have orderliness,” he stated.

In response, Governor Bala Mohammed praised Obi’s stance and appealed for his return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggesting that the party remains Obi’s true political home.

“We want you to come back to the PDP. Please come back because that is where you belong.
We want you to be in the PDP, there are plans, desires and strategies,” the governor said.

Mohammed also emphasised the importance of unity among opposition parties, saying Nigerian politics must be driven by shared goals rather than ego and personal ambition.

“Politics in Nigeria cannot be done with ego, differences, and personal interest. We must harmonise our interests in the interest of Nigerians,” he concluded.

Nigeria has lost one of its respected statesmen, Chief Audu Ogbeh, a former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 78.

The Ogbeh family confirmed the news in a statement issued on Saturday, announcing that the elder statesman died peacefully.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Chief Audu Ogbeh. He passed away on the 9th of August 2025 at the fulfilled age of 78,” the statement read.

Remembered for his dedication to public service and his role in shaping agricultural policy, Ogbeh was widely respected for his integrity and commitment to national development.

“He departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation and community,” the family stated, adding, “We are comforted by the many lives he touched and the example he set.”

The family noted that funeral arrangements would be shared in due course and thanked Nigerians for their prayers and support.

“We will appreciate some privacy at this time while we mourn the loss of our patriarch,” the statement concluded.

DAILY GAZETTE recall that Chief Ogbeh served in various political roles during his lifetime and was a prominent voice in national discourse, particularly in the areas of agriculture and rural development.