Former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan died Monday at the age of 71, his family confirmed, closing a chapter on one of the longest-serving administrations in the state’s Fourth Republic history.
He passed away on the morning of Monday, October 19, three days before his 72nd birthday, according to the family announcement.
His family described the death as following a brief illness.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan on behalf of the family, which described his passing as a devastating loss to his relatives, the people of Delta State, and Nigeria at large.
The family said it received the news with profound grief, noting that Uduaghan was not only a respected political figure but also a beloved father, brother, uncle, and patriarch whose influence extended beyond his immediate family. The statement emphasized that his dedication to public service had left a lasting imprint on the lives of ordinary Deltans who benefited from his policies and programs during his years in office.
“Words can hardly express the depth of our sorrow at the loss of a man who meant so much to our family and whose life and service touched countless others across Delta State and Nigeria,” the statement said.
The family statement described his death as a profound loss to the oil-rich state because of his impact during his tenure between 2007 and 2015. During those eight years, Uduaghan championed a development agenda centered on roads, healthcare, and education, with his administration overseeing significant expansion of infrastructure across the state’s three senatorial districts.
He remained committed, according to the family, to the human and infrastructural development of Delta State throughout his years in public service.
The death comes months after the former governor’s family dismissed reports circulating on social media that he had passed away. In June, false reports claiming that Uduaghan had died spread across Facebook and WhatsApp, triggering concern among residents and political figures in Delta State.
At the time, his media aide, Henry Unini, dismissed those earlier claims, confirming the former governor was alive and said Uduaghan had been unwell and was receiving medical treatment.
The Delta State government also refuted the June rumor, and government spokesperson Ossai Success said Uduaghan’s daughter, Orode Uduaghan, had confirmed that her father was alive.
Some months before his death, a picture showing the late politician in a fragile state of health alongside his wife had surfaced on the internet. The image drew widespread commentary on social media platforms and prompted renewed public concern about the former governor’s condition, with many Deltans expressing well-wishes and prayers for his recovery.
Uduaghan served as Commissioner for Health between 1999 and 2003, during the administration of former Governor James Ibori, and subsequently became Secretary to the Delta State Government from 2003 to 2007, a position he held until the end of Ibori’s administration.
He became governor in 2007 and served two terms until 2015.
Born in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Uduaghan was of Itsekiri origin.
He assumed office via an inconclusive election on May 29, 2007, as a member of the People’s Democratic Party.
He was re-elected and sworn in for a second tenure in 2011.
The family statement described the deceased as “a source of strength, a father figure, a beloved brother and uncle, and a respected elder.”
The family also extended prayers for eternal rest and comfort for friends, political associates, and Deltans mourning the loss. The statement called on well-wishers to keep the Uduaghan family in their thoughts and prayers during what it described as an extraordinarily difficult period of mourning.
Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan was 71 at the time of his death.
The death of the medical doctor turned politician was announced by Toju Anire Uduaghan. No cause of death has been officially disclosed by the family.
