Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh 1947-2025: Synonymous With Wisdom And Wit
By Otunba Segun Showunmi
As a son of Benue, the proud son of Idoma land, Chief Audu Ogbeh has been a towering figure in Nigeria’s political consciousness for decades. You heard of his brilliance as a young scholar, his fearless advocacy as a politician, and his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
From his days as a federal minister in the Second Republic to his pivotal role as National Chairman of the PDP, and later as Minister of Agriculture under President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Ogbeh was a man of many enterprise, intellectual, farmer, statesman and a bridge-builder.
When I first encountered his name in political discourse, it was synonymous with wisdom and wit. His famous phrase, “Politics is not a do-or-die affair,” resonated deeply in an era when political battles often turned bloody. He was a man who believed in dialogue, in the power of ideas, and in the necessity of compromise for national cohesion. His tenure as PDP Chairman was marked by an insistence on internal democracy, even when it was an unpopular stance.
As Minister of Agriculture, I saw a man deeply passionate about Nigeria’s self-sufficiency. His advocacy for local rice production, mechanized farming, and agro-industrial growth was not just policy to him it was a mission. He spoke of farming not just as an economic activity but as a cultural heritage, a way of life. His voice carried the weight of experience, and his laughter that rich knowing chuckle could disarm even the sternest critic.
I remember his interventions during national debates, how he could dissect complex issues with simplicity, how he stood firm on principle even when it cost him politically. His was a life of service, not servitude to power. He walked with kings yet never lost touch with the common man.
Now that you have answered the final call, I imagine you in the company of ancestors, discussing the affairs of men with that same sharp intellect and witty humor. Oh Benue, you have lost a giant! Oh Nigeria, a patriot has departed!
Adieu Chief Ogbeh.
You fought the good fight. You kept the faith. Now, rest in the embrace of the Divine.
Showunmi is the Convener of The ALTERNATIVE