Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has died at the age of 71.
Uduaghan reportedly died on Monday, October 19, 2026, after a brief illness, according to a statement issued by his family.
The statement, signed by Toju Andre Uduaghan, announced the former governor’s death, describing it as a devastating loss to the family, Delta State and Nigeria.
“It is with hearts weighed down by immeasurable grief and profound sorrow that we announce the passing to glory of our beloved Father, Brother, Uncle, and Patriarch, His Excellency, Dr Chief Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State, who departed this world on the morning of 19th October 2026,” the statement read.
The family described the deceased as a father figure, a source of strength and a respected elder whose contributions touched many lives across the state and the country.
Uduaghan, a medical doctor turned politician, served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 before becoming Secretary to the State Government, a position he held from 2003 to 2007.
He was elected governor in 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party and served two terms, leaving office in May 2015.
During his eight-year administration, his government pursued programmes focused on healthcare, infrastructure, human capital development, peace and security, and economic diversification.
One of the initiatives associated with his administration was the “Delta Beyond Oil” agenda, which sought to reduce the state’s dependence on crude oil revenue by promoting other sectors of the economy.
Born on October 22, 1954, Uduaghan was due to celebrate his 72nd birthday three days after his death.
The family expressed gratitude to God for his life and years of public service, while praying for comfort for relatives, friends, associates and others mourning his passing.
“His passing is a profound loss to our family, the people of Delta State, and Nigeria at large. We are grateful to Almighty God for his life, his service, and the legacy he leaves behind,” the statement added.
The family also prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul, saying his memory and legacy would endure in the lives of those he touched.
