The 5 phases of Audu Ogbeh

                                                            
The ministerial list released by President Muhammadu Buhari has been followed by a lot of mixed reactions, mostly because of the candidates on the list.

One of the most talked about nominees is Audu Innocent Ogbeh from Benue State.

Here is the evolution of Audu Innocent Ogbeh you didn't know about:

1. The Academic: Ogbeh had a career in academia spanning from 1972-1979. First, as a lecturer at the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1972 - 1976).

He was then Head of the Department of Humanities, Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology (1977-1979).

2. The Legislator: Innocent Ogbeh ran for office in the Benue State House of Assembly on the Platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), becoming deputy speaker of the house in 1979. He was 32 years old at the time.

3. The Minister: In 1982, he was a ministerial nominee and was screened by lawmakers, including the late Sola Saraki, the father of the current Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki. He was appointed Federal Minister of Communications, and later became Minister of Steel Development. His term of office cam to an abrupt end in December 1983 when a military coup brought Major-General Muhammadu Buhari to power.

4. The Elder Statesman: In 2001 he was appointed National Chairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), replacing Chief Barnabas Gemade. He held this position until January 2005 when he was reportedly forced to resign due to his criticism of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Camillus Eboh of Reuters at the time, reported that, "Ogbeh drew a parallel between Obasanjo's government and that of Shehu Shagari, sacked in a coup in 1983 after four years in office, and warned the President was heading in the same direction."

5. The Farmer: After his time as a PDP chaiman, he became the chairman of Efugo Farms, report early this year, Audu Ogbeh said Nigeria spends $100 million (about N20 billion) annually to import tomato paste from China.

On October 13, he will be screened by legislators led by Senate President Bukola Saraki.