JUST IN: Ex-minister under Buhari, former PDP chairman, dies at 78

Audu Ogbeh, former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria’s minister of agriculture between 2015 and 2019, has died at the age of 78. His passing occurred on Saturday, August 9, and was confirmed by his family in a statement describing him as a man of integrity, service, and dedication to the nation. The statement expressed gratitude for the prayers and support from friends, colleagues, and well-wishers, and requested privacy while the family mourns. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Ogbeh’s political career spanned decades, beginning in the late 1970s when he served as deputy speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly. He was appointed federal minister of communications from 1982 to 1983 under President Shehu Shagari, and later led the PDP from 2001 to 2005. His most recent public service role was as minister of agriculture under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.