Former Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has died at the age of 71, following a brief illness. The Uduaghan family announced the news in a statement signed by Toju Andre Uduaghan on Monday, noting that the former governor departed on the morning of October 19, 2026. According to Punch, Uduaghan was born on October 22, 1954, meaning he passed away just three days before his 72nd birthday. The family described the loss as devastating for the state and the country, characterizing him as a father figure and source of strength for the Itsekiri nation and the wider Delta State community.
Uduaghan’s public service career spanned several decades, beginning with his tenure as Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003. He subsequently served as Secretary to the Delta State Government from 2003 to 2007 before assuming the governorship from 2007 to 2015. Punch reported that his administration was marked by a commitment to human and infrastructural development, particularly in healthcare delivery. Senator Ned Nwoko, representing the Delta North Senatorial District, described Uduaghan as the most accessible governor the state has had, praising his open-door approach and willingness to engage with diverse communities. Nwoko’s tribute, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, highlighted the former governor’s role in promoting peaceful coexistence among the state’s ethnic groups.
National political leaders have also paid tribute to the late governor. Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed shock at the news, calling Uduaghan a distinguished medical doctor and statesman. Akpabio noted that Uduaghan’s tenure was a significant moment for Delta’s infrastructure and that he served as a bridge-builder across the Niger Delta region. Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, recalled their collaboration in advocating for the Second Niger Bridge project. Obi stated that they worked together to promote the bridge, which he described as a symbol of national integration and commerce. Additionally, former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi mourned Uduaghan alongside Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole, hailing their shared commitment to public service and nation-building. The family and political allies have extended condolences to the Uduaghan family, including his wife, Roli, and their children.