Otunba Segun Showunmi, convener of the National Opposition Movement Coalition (NOMC), a platform aimed at fostering grassroots consensus for the selection of future leaders has expressed sadness over the death of a former minister and founding member of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Audu Ogbeh, at the age of 78.
In a statement personally signed by Showunmi on Sunday, he said Ogbeh’s passing marked a huge loss to the country,
The convener of “The Alternative” also extolled Ogbeh’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress, adding that his life was of service, not servitude to power, “he walked with kings yet never lost touch with the common man”.
Below is Showunmi’s full statement:
“Condolence message on the passing of Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh 1947–2025
“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 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.
“Otunba Segun Showunmi
“Convener The ALTERNATIVE”
