Former Delta State govnor Emmanuel Uduaghan die at age 71

Former Delta State govnor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, don die at age 71.

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.