Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has described the death of the former Agriculture Minister and nationalist, Chief Audu Ogbeh, as a “loss of a patriot and principled politician”.
Mr Abubakar, in a statement by his Media Office on Saturday in Abuja, described Ogbeh as a “quintessential gentleman, affable and amiable friend and reliable political ally”, whose immense contributions to nation-building would be sorely missed.
Mr aAbubakar recalled that Ogbeh’s chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001-2005, was impactful.
He described the multi-linguist, farmer, politician, as 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.
Mr Abubakar commiserated with the family, friends, the people of Benue, and Nigerians at large.
He prayed that the Almighty would blissfully rest his soul and comfort his nuclear family, friends, and political associates.
Chief Ogbeh died in his Abuja residence on Saturday morning at the age of 78.
NAN