The Arewa Consultative Forum has expressed shock over the death of former Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman and ex-minister, Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh, describing him as “a nationalist and committed son of Arewa” whose life was devoted to public service.
Ogbeh, who died at the age of 78, was a three-time minister of the Federal Republic, a one-time Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, and a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic.
He also chaired the ACF’s National Executive Council between 2020 and 2023.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the northern socio-cultural organisation noted that Ogbeh was until his death the Deputy Chairman of the committee planning the ACF’s 25th anniversary later this year.
“ACF’s celebration of the late Chief Ogbeh is therefore one to a man who had paid his dues well. He was certainly a nationalist and a committed son of Arewa. He was a passionate and large-scale farmer, indeed one of the biggest farmers in Nigeria,” the statement read.
Muhammad-Baba added that the forum was mourning “a life well led in the service of Nigeria, nay, humanity,” recalling Ogbeh’s towering influence in politics, agriculture, and national unity.
The ACF extended its condolences to the Government and people of Nigeria, the people of Benue State, as well as Ogbeh’s family and friends across the country and beyond.
“As the family mourns this irreparable loss, ACF sends its condolences. May Almighty God in His infinite mercies grant him peaceful repose and be with his family in this difficult time,” the statement concluded.
