ASABA, Nigeria — Former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has died at the age of 71.
His family confirmed that he died on Monday morning, October 19, 2026, in a statement signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan.
The former governor, a medical doctor turned politician, led the oil-producing state for eight years, from 2007 to 2015.
The family did not disclose the cause of his death or announce funeral arrangements.
In the statement obtained by Arise News, the family described his passing as a devastating loss.
“His passing has left us devastated,” the statement said.
Relatives remembered Uduaghan as a father, brother, uncle, and family patriarch whose public service extended across several decades.
They paid tribute to his contributions to Delta State and expressed gratitude for his life.
Uduaghan’s Political Career
Born on October 22, 1954, Uduaghan was trained as a medical doctor at the University of Benin before entering politics.
He served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 under former Governor James Ibori.
He subsequently became Secretary to the State Government, serving from 2003 until 2007.
Uduaghan was elected governor in 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), succeeding Ibori.
He won re-election in 2011 and completed his second term in May 2015, when he handed over to Ifeanyi Okowa.
His administration pursued programmes involving healthcare, education, transportation, and infrastructure development.
After leaving office, Uduaghan remained active in politics and contested the Delta South senatorial election in 2019.
Family Had Denied Earlier Death Rumours
The confirmation of Uduaghan’s death comes nearly four months after his family dismissed reports that he had died.
In June, social media posts falsely announced his death, prompting a public denial from his media aide, Henry Unini.
Unini acknowledged at the time that the former governor was receiving medical treatment but said he was recuperating.
The Delta State Government also rejected the reports after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s media aide, Ossai Ovie Success, contacted Uduaghan’s daughter, Orode Uduaghan.
She confirmed at the time that her father was alive.
The family’s latest announcement establishes that Uduaghan has now died.
In its tribute, the family said his contributions to public life would be remembered.
The family has yet to provide details of his burial arrangements.
