President Bola Tinubu on Friday called on the family of late former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, to uphold the values that defined him as an exceptional Nigerian statesman.
Tinubu, who was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, spoke during Ogbeh’s burial in Otukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The remains of the elder statesman were interred in his country home, Efugo, Otukpa, at about 1:18pm amid tributes from political leaders and dignitaries across the country.
Delivering the president’s testimonial titled “Contributions of Chief Audu Ogbeh to the Political Development of Nigeria”, Akume described Ogbeh as a humble, compassionate and unifying figure whose contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape would be remembered for generations.
“We equally remember him for his humility, compassion and generosity. He was a unifying personality who bridged divides and brought people together. His impact on Nigerian politics and society will be felt for generations to come,” Tinubu said.
The president acknowledged that Ogbeh’s death had left a vacuum in Nigeria’s political space but insisted that the legacies he left behind remained indelible.
Tinubu further said Ogbeh’s political journey cut across Nigeria’s dominant parties, noting his key roles in both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Chief Audu Ogbeh played significant roles in Nigerian politics, particularly in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was a founding member of the PDP and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. He served as the PDP’s National Chairman from 2001 to 2005, working to balance party dynamics and navigate complex national issues with reason and principle.
“Chief Ogbeh also played a critical role in the formation of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its merger with the All Progressives Congress (APC). He joined the APC in 2015,” Tinubu stated.
The president added that beyond partisan politics, Ogbeh was remembered for his “integrity, intellectualism, and dedication to public service.”
“His dedication to Nigeria’s progress and development was unwavering,” he said, urging Nigerians to emulate his example of leadership and service.
Dignitaries at the burial included the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr. Pius Akutah; Executive Director of Housing Finance and Accounts, FHA, Dr. Mathias Byuan; Senator Titus Zam (Benue North-West); Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode; former Anambra governor, Chris Ngige; and former Benue deputy governor, Chief Steven Lawani, among others.
