Former three-time minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh, is dead, a statement issued this Saturday morning by the family said.

“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.

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

“Details of the funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course. We thank friends, colleagues, and well-wishers for their prayers and support during this time. We will appreciate some privacy at this time while we mourn the loss of our patriarch,” the statement obtained by News Express said.

It coincided with the publication of an interview in which the elder statesman lamented the turn of things in the country and expressed fears about the future of the country. “I’m scared of the future,” Audu Ogbeh said in the exclusive interview by Weekend Trust.

A former university lecturer, Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh was a distinguished farmer. Per Weekend Trust: “He became a politician in 1979, when he was elected into the Benue State House of Assembly, where he was the deputy speaker. He 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 Obasanjo. So he has been a constant fixture in Nigerian politics. In this interview, Ogbeh, who was the chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) until recently, spoke on his experiences in politics and business.”