Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, has paid tribute to the late Audu Ogbeh, describing him as one of the most effective national chairmen in the history of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ogbeh, who also served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, died on Saturday at the age of 78.
In a heartfelt statement, Ibori praised the late politician as a humble and principled leader who placed integrity and internal democracy above personal gain.
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Reflecting on their political journey, Ibori recalled that during his re-election bid in 2003, Ogbeh was reportedly instructed to block his candidacy. However, Ogbeh refused to comply, dismissing the directive as “devilish machinations.” Ibori went on to contest and win, completing his second term as Delta governor in 2007.
“I received with great sadness the news of the death of Chief Audu Ogbeh, former National Chairman of the PDP and ex-Minister of Agriculture,” Ibori said. “He was one of the most effective chairmen the PDP ever produced. He was not about money or bribes; he upheld internal democracy and was a man of integrity.”
Ogbeh’s passing has drawn tributes from across Nigeria’s political landscape, with many hailing his contributions to governance and party leadership.