Former Delta State govnor Emmanuel Uduaghan die at age 71

Delta state govment don declare three-day mourning period to honour di former state govnor Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan wey die for di early hours of Monday, 19 October at di age of 71.

Secretary to di State Govment Kingsley Emu wey announce di informate on behalf of di state govnor Sheriff Oborevwori tok say di mourning period go take effect from Monday to Wednesday, 21 October.

Di govnor also direct make all flags on public buildings across di state fly at half-mast throughout di three-day mourning period as mark of respect for di departed leader.

Uduaghan, wey govern di south-south state from 2007 to 2015, die on Monday, 19 October, im family announce.

Toju Anire Uduaghan announce im death for one statement on behalf of di family.

Di family describe im death as ogbonge loss, as dem say im life and service touch many pipo across Delta State and Nigeria.

"Na wit hearts weighed down by immeasurable grief and profound sorrow we announce di passing to glory of our beloved Father, Brother, Uncle, and Patriarch, Im Excellency, Dr. Chief Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State, wey comot dis world on di morning of 19th October 2026.

"E be source of strength, a father figure, a beloved brother and uncle, and a respected elder. We go deeply miss im presence and forever cherish di memories and legacy e leave behind," di statement read".

Di family tok say Uduaghan passing don leave deep void, as dem describe am as source of strength wey im influence pass dat of im immediate relatives.

Bifor e bicom govrnor, Uduaghan bin serve as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003.

E later serve as Secretary to di Delta state govment from 2003 to 2007 bifor e take ova office as govnor for 2007.

E complete im two terms as govnor, bifor e leave office for 2015.

"Throughout im years in public service, e demonstrate commitment to di human and infrastructural development of Delta State," di family tok for di statement.

Dem born Uduaghan on October 22, 1954, for Warri North local govment area of Delta State. E come from Itsekiri origin.

E die three days bifor im 72nd birthday.

Oga Uduaghan na doctor as e obtain im Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree for University of Benin. E work as doctor bifor e join politics.

For August 1999, di then govnor James Ibori appoint Uduaghan as Delta State Commissioner for Health.

Dat appointment mark di beginning of im rise through di state govment.

E go on to bicom di Secretary to di state govment fot 2003, position wey e hold until 2007.

As e rise through di corridors of power, Uduaghan clinch di govnorship ticket and bicom di state govnor under di platform of di People's Democratic Party (PDP) on May 29, 2007.

Dem re-elect am for 2011. E complete im two terms for May 2015.

Afta im second tenure end as govnor, Uduaghan bin make attempt to represent Delta South Senatorial District for di National Assembly.

E however, lost di race to di incumbent lawmaker, James Manager.

For im political journey, Uduaghan bin switch between Nigeria two major political parties.

For August 2018, Uduaghan decamp from PDP to di All Progressives Congress (APC). But return to di PDP for 2020.

For March 2022, e announce im retirement from politics and call for greater roles for traditional rulers.

For May 2025, however, e join di APC again, and party leaders present am wit im membership card for im house for Delta State.

Tinubu, Oborevwori, odas pay tribute to Emmanuel Uduaghan

President Bola don describe di former Delta state govnor as public servant wey im leadership dey devoted to di state development and service to di nation.

For im condolence message to di family of di govnor, di state govnor and pipo of Deta, di Nigerian leader mourn di passing of di late govnor wey e say na great loss to di nation.

"At dis difficult time, I urge di pipo of Delta state to draw strength from di late govnor years of service and di enduring relationships e build across di political and social terrain of our kontri," Tinubu tok.

"Thank you for evritin, I love you yesterday, today and forever. Sleep well Papa," im daughter, Orode Uduaghan post on X.

Sheriff Oborevwori, govnor of Delta State don send im condolence message to di immediate family and relative of former Delta State govnor, Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Oborevwori tok say im dey very sad ova di passing of di former govnor of Delta State Uduaghan.

"On behalf of di Govment and di good pipo of Delta State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to im wife, pikin dem, family members, di entire Itsekiri nation and Deltans for dis tough time. Make God give im soul eternal rest," Oborevwori tok.

"For me, dis loss dey personal. As former Govnor and leader, we get personal relationship. I go remember am well for im simplicity, humility, and how e dey eager to share im knowledge and experience wit di younger generation."

Oborevwori tok say Uduaghan contribution to di growth and development of Delta State through out di years wey im serve as commissioner, secretary to di state govment, and as govnor, remain important part of di state history.

Di govnor tok say Asaba international Airport remain one of di legacy of Uduaghan as im describe di deceased as one leader wey dey believe in im pipo and e dey invest in human capital development withn di state and outside im govment.

Also, Christian Association of Nigeria say dem receive di news of di former govnor passing wit sadness

CAN send dia condolence to di family and relative of di deceased as dem pray make God comfort dem dis tough times.

CAN tok say Uduaghan play important role during di time of heightened political tension for Nigeria and im commitment to make peace, and preserve national unity "remain worthy of commendation.".

"Im passing na loss to im family and all di pipo wey value im contributions to public service and nation-building," di statement tok.

"I pray make God comfort im family and all di pipo wey dey mourn am, and grant im soul eternal rest."