I once challenged Obasanjo for talking to me like his cook — Audu Ogbeh in last interview
A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, who died on Saturday, in his last known interview to the media, recounted how a heated disagreement with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo over what he described as disrespectful treatment prompted his decision to resign from the party’s top seat. Ogbeh, who had earlier narrated […]
Chief Audu Ogbeh
A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, who died on Saturday, in his last known interview to the media, recounted how a heated disagreement with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo over what he described as disrespectful treatment prompted his decision to resign from the party’s top seat.
Ogbeh, who had earlier narrated how an assassination attempt on his life cleared the path for Obasanjo to emerge as President, said the working relationship between them soured over time. Obasanjo was Nigeria’s President between 1999 and 2007, serving for eight years.
According to Ogbeh, he was not forced to resign but chose to do so due to the manner and ways in which Obasanjo spoke to him on several occasions.
He said, “No. But there was a night we had a disagreement, and he spoke to me in a manner I didn’t like. The next day, we had a caucus meeting and I told him that he spoke to me in the presence of a lady as if I was his cook.
“I asked if he thought the job meant everything in the world. I didn’t earn a dime as party chairman. I asked if he had ever heard that I took a dime from the party’s fund, and he said no.
“I also asked if I had gone to him asking for money; so he shouldn’t talk to me like that,” he recounted when asked if he was forced to resign as PDP chairman in an interview with Trust TV.”
The former party chairman said he did not mince words in telling the governors present that he was ready to walk away from the position immediately.
“Yeah. And all the governors were there. I said if they were tired, I would go to my house immediately and bring my letter of resignation, as the job didn’t mean anything to me. Many governors followed me and said I was the true son of my father,” he said.
Ogbeh explained that though Obasanjo did not react at the time, the incident made up his mind for him.
“He didn’t. After that, I made up my mind that I was going to resign. I wrote my letter here. The story that he brought out a pistol is not true. Presidents don’t carry pistols. I said I had had enough,” Ogbeh said.
“I decided to give it to him and leave because anything you are doing in this world that takes your dignity away is not worth it. Dignity comes from God who created you. So, I resigned.”
His statements came even as he admitted that Obasanjo was a tough person to work with, an attribute that made it difficult for some persons within his cabinet to adapt to his style.
Ogbeh, whose death was reported on Saturday, resigned as the PDP national chairman in December 2005. He would later go on to serve as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under the tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari. He served in the ministerial capacity between 2015 and 2019.
Ogbeh became a politician in 1979, when he was elected into the Benue State House of Assembly, where he was the deputy speaker. He also served as a minister under President Shehu Shagari.
Meanwhile, condolences have continued to pour in following the announcement of his death at the age of 78 in a statement issued by the family.
Tinubu hails contributions to policy formulation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, condoled with the government and people of Benue State on the passing of Chief Ogbeh.
The president, who also commiserated with the late statesman’s family, friends and associates, acknowledged his intellectual contributions to policy formulation and articulation of practical solutions to complex national challenges.
President Tinubu, who recognised that Chief Ogbeh was a founding member of the All Progressives Congress, prayed that the Almighty God would receive the departed’s soul, and comfort his family.
“Chief Audu Ogbeh was a patriot whose wisdom, dedication, and pursuit of progress left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape. He was always ready with facts and figures to support his propositions. The nation will sorely miss his insightful perspectives and wealth of experience,” he said.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is in Uganda on a visit, described the late minister as a peace-loving, unassuming , committed patriot and a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said the former PDP leader was “a man whose political career stretched from the military era through the present democratic dispensation.”
He said the late politician’s place would be very difficult to fill within his community, the State, the party and the nation.
A former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has described the demise of the former minister and nationalist as a rude shock and loss of a patriot and principled politician.
Atiku said the late Audu Ogbeh was a quintessential gentleman, affable and amiable friend and reliable political ally, whose immense contributions to nation-building would be sorely missed.
The Waziri of Adamawa recalled that Ogbeh’s chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (2001-2005) was impactful.
The multi-linguist farmer politician, Ogbeh, was also a renowned family man, an Idoma community steward, and a great ambassador of Nigeria globally.
“He was a detribalized and development-minded politician. One who combined intellectualism with pragmatism. He was also a true defender of liberal democracy. His type is difficult to replace,” Atiku emphasized.
Northern govs mourn
The chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed sorrow over the death of elder statesman and the former minister.
In a condolence message issued yesterday, Governor Yahaya described Chief Ogbeh as a towering political figure, a statesman of uncommon intellect, and an iconic son of Northern Nigeria who devoted his life to national development and public service.
“Chief Audu Ogbeh was an accomplished leader, a seasoned politician and a multifaceted scholar whose contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey and development will remain etched in history.
“He brought dignity and depth to every office he held and served the country with integrity and commitment,” he said.
The NSGF Chairman said Chief Ogbeh’s death was a huge loss not only to Benue State and the North but to the entire nation.
“As chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, I join the government and people of Benue State, the Ogbeh family, and indeed the nation in mourning a truly remarkable Nigerian who leaves behind a legacy of patriotism, intellectual depth, humility and outstanding public service,” he stated.
Governor Yahaya prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the elder statesman and for strength and comfort to his family and loved ones during this period of grief.
I’ve lost a good neighbour – Senator Adamu
A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has expressed a deep sense of loss over the death of Chief Ogbeh, saying “he (Chief Ogbeh) was a wonderful neighbour with whom I had a treasured relationship for years since we began to share a fence in our residences in Abuja.”
Adamu, in a statement he personally signed, said he had known and worked closely with the deceased for decades, recalling their close working relationships during Chief Ogbeh’s stewardship of the Peoples Democratic Party while he (Adamu) was governor of Nasarawa State.
The former senator representing Nasarawa West revealed further that he and the deceased equally had a robust working relationship after both of them moved to the APC.
“Chief Audu Ogbeh was one of the distinguished citizens of our country who had unwavering commitment to good governance, political stability and growth of Nigeria,” said Adamu, adding that “his feats as a farmer and a former minister of agriculture were remarkable.”
He also recalled the deceased as “one of those who made great efforts to entrench party supremacy and discipline within the PDP before and during his tenure as national chairman of the party.”
He expressed his deepest sympathy to the immediate family of the deceased, the government and people of Benue State, and the entire nation.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, expressed sadness over the news of the passing of the elder statesman.
The senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Moro, in a statement by his media aide, Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John, described Chief Ogbeh as a good man and great personality who touched so many lives and contributed greatly to the development of Benue South, Benue State and Nigeria at large.
He said Chief Ogbe’s death was akin to a fallen iroko in the forest, stating that a large vacuum has been created.
The senator recalled fond memories with the deceased and noted that his death was a personal loss to him.
Nigeria lost a patriot – Northern Elders Forum
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), while mourning the death of elder statesman, in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, described Ogbeh as “a principled democrat, a patriotic nationalist, and a tireless advocate for peace and cohesion.”
“A respected farmer, politician, playwright, and intellectual, he served Nigeria with distinction as Minister of Communications (1982–1983) and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (2015–2019). He was a principled democrat, a patriotic nationalist, and a tireless advocate for peace and national cohesion.
“The NEF extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government and people of Benue State, the people of Northern Nigeria, and the entire nation. His passing is a personal loss to the Forum and a profound loss to Nigeria.
“A statesman of rare integrity, a patriot of unwavering conviction, and a cherished member of our own family. In our councils, he was a voice of reason and conscience; in the nation’s service, he was a bridge-builder, a reformer, and a steadfast advocate of unity and justice.
“His wisdom guided us, his humility inspired us, and his commitment to Nigeria’s progress strengthened us. Though the nation grieves, our loss is deeply personal, for we have lost not only a leader, but a trusted friend whose absence will be felt in every conversation about our shared future,” NEF said
From Hope Abah (Makurdi), Haruna Gimba Yaya (Gombe) & Philip Shimnom Clement (Abuja)