President Bola Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Christian Association of Nigeria, among others, on Monday mourned former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.
The politician cum medical doctor, who served as governor from 2007 to 2015, passed on at the age of 71 years in the early hours of Monday, after a protracted illness.
The news of his death was contained in a statement issued by the family and signed by one of his children, Toju Andre Uduaghan, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri.
The late Uduaghan was born on October 22, 1954 and would have turned 72 on Thursday.
The statement read, “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.
”His passing has left us devastated. 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.
”He was a source of strength, a father figure, a beloved brother and uncle, and a respected elder. We will deeply miss his presence and forever cherish the memories and legacy he leaves behind.
“He served as Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003, Secretary to the Delta State Government from 2003 to 2007, and Governor of Delta State from 2007 to 2015. Throughout his years in public service, he demonstrated a commitment to the human and infrastructural development of Delta State.
”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.”
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has declared three days of mourning in honour of Uduaghan.
The directive was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu.
“As part of the measures to honour the late former governor, the incumbent governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has directed that all flags on public buildings across the state be flown at half-mast throughout the three-day mourning period,” the statement noted.
Reacting, Tinubu, in a message he signed on Monday, extended his condolences to the Uduaghan family, the government, and the people of Delta State on the passing of the former governor.
Tinubu said the late Uduaghan continued to feature prominently in Delta State’s political and socio-economic landscape, contributing to the sustenance of democratic governance and the advancement of public service in Nigeria. He described the death as a great loss to his family, his community, Delta State, and the nation at large.
“At this difficult time, I urge the people of Delta State to draw strength from the late governor’s years of service and the enduring relationships he built across the political and social terrain of our country.
“On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Nigeria, I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Roli; his children; his cousin, former Governor James Ibori; and friends and political associates whose lives he impacted.
“May Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn him.”
Also on Monday, Oborevwori, in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, sympathised with Roli, his children, the entire Uduaghan family, the Itsekiri nation and Deltans over the painful loss.
He recalled Uduaghan’s years in office, concluding that “he made significant contributions to infrastructure development in the state.”
The governor expressed sadness over the death, describing him as “a leader who looked beyond ethnic differences and worked for the overall development of Delta State.”
The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, mourned Uduaghan, describing his passing as a major loss to the state, the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC chairman said the former governor’s death was particularly painful because of his years of service and efforts to promote peace, development and improved living conditions in Delta State.
“Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan’s death is a painful loss to Delta State and our country. He was a public servant who devoted a significant part of his life to the service of his people and the development of his state,” Mark said.
He noted that Uduaghan’s years in public office placed him at the centre of efforts to address the state’s development needs, adding that his experience in governance would remain an important part of his legacy.
The former Senate President extended his condolences to Uduaghan’s immediate family, the government and people of Delta State, as well as his friends, associates and political colleagues.
“His passing is a moment of grief for his family, the people of Delta State and all those who had the privilege of working with him or benefiting from his years of service,” he said.
The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a condolence message, described the late former governor as a revered patriarch, father figure and elder statesman whose life combined family devotion with public service.
“Words are painfully inadequate to express the depth of my sorrow at the passing of His Excellency, Dr Chief Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan. His death is a profound loss, and my heart goes out to the entire Uduaghan family at this incredibly difficult moment,” the senator said.
She said his death was not only the loss of a former governor but also the departure of a family patriarch whose presence, counsel and memories would remain cherished by those who knew him.
“Today, we mourn not merely the passing of a distinguished former governor, but the loss of a father figure, a revered elder and a man whose presence meant so much to those privileged to know him.
“The pain of such a departure is difficult to capture in words, particularly for a family confronted with the reality of saying goodbye to someone whose life has been woven into its history,” she added.
Reflecting on his years in public office, Akpoti-Uduaghan said his contributions should be remembered beyond the positions he held, particularly through the lives he touched and the legacy he left behind.
The Christian Association of Nigeria also mourned Uduaghan’s death, while commending his contributions to dialogue, confidence-building and the preservation of national unity during a period of heightened political tension in the country.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed the association’s condolences in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, describing Uduaghan’s death as a loss to his family and those who valued his contributions to public service and nation-building.
“Dr Uduaghan played a notable role during a period of heightened political tension in Nigeria. His commitment to dialogue, confidence-building and the preservation of national unity remains worthy of commendation,” Okoh said.
The CAN president extended the association’s condolences to the deceased’s family, the Delta State Government and the people of the state, as well as others mourning his death.
“On behalf of CAN, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the government and people of Delta State, and all who mourn this loss. May God comfort them in this difficult moment,” he said.
Okoh said the former governor’s passing was a loss to those who appreciated his contributions to public service and nation-building.
He prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved family and other mourners, while asking God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, also expressed sadness over the passing of Uduaghan, describing the death of the former governor as “a personal loss to the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.”
The chapel expressed the shock in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Akpokona Omafuaire and Edeki Igafe, respectively.
The Warri Correspondents’ Chapel commiserated with the immediate family and prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
”We received with heavy hearts the transition of our former governor, Dr Uduaghan. The former governor was a father and always there for us. Uduaghan was the most media-friendly governor that Delta State has ever produced,” the statement noted.
Djebah mourns
Eminent journalist-diplomat and former Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand, and two-time Delta State Commissioner for Information, Amb Oma Djebah expressed grief over the demise of Uduaghan on Monday.
Djebah described the sad development as a huge loss to Delta State, Nigeria, and indeed all loved ones across various international jurisdictions where the late former governor left a positive impact.
The former ambassador, who served as Commissioner for Information and member of the Delta State Executive Council under the government of Uduaghan, described the late former governor as a visionary statesman, a detribalised leader, and a towering peace-builder whose huge legacies of peacebuilding, human capital development and infrastructural development in Delta State and Nigeria would remain evergreen in the minds of all.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened over the sad demise of this great leader, a patriot, a statesman and very compassionate administrator who gave his all in his service to Delta State and Nigeria.
“His death has created a void that would be very difficult to fill, as I’m still short of words to convey my feelings over this sad loss,” he said.
He maintained that Uduaghan contributed immensely to sustainable peace and security in the Niger Delta region, especially in helping to broker enduring peace and security during the volatile Niger Delta crisis.
“He was resilient, forthright, educated and very visionary. He was a great boss, friend, leader and astute administrator. His politics was highly refined. He led from the front, and also with his heart.
“I’m still short of words to convey my deep condolences. He was a leader with a unique sense of compassion, and a highly detribalised statesman.
“His demise is a huge loss not only to Delta State but also to Nigeria and friends of his in various international jurisdictions.
“His passing is a huge loss. My condolences and prayers to his family, Delta State, and Nigeria. May God Almighty grant unto him eternal rest. And may the family and all loved ones have the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss that has left a big void and painful tears in our hearts.”