The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), on Sunday, expressed deep sorrow over the death of elder statesman Audu Innocent Ogbeh, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday, August 9, 2025.

Ogbeh, a valued member of the NEF Board of Trustees, was described as a voice of wisdom and a guiding presence in the Forum’s deliberations. His counsel, integrity, and dedication to the unity and progress of Northern Nigeria and the nation at large will be sorely missed.

In a statement by NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the Forum 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),” Jiddere said

“He was a principled democrat, a patriotic nationalist, and a tireless advocate for peace and national cohesion.”

The NEF extended its condolences to his family, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Government and people of Benue State, the North, and the entire nation.

Paying tribute, the Forum hailed Ogbeh as “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.”