President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) yesterday led tributes to former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan who died three days before his 72nd birthday.
They described the former governor who served Delta State from 2007 to 2015 as a committed public servant whose contributions to governance development and peace-building would be remembered.
Uduaghan died in the early hours of yesterday after a prolonged ailment according to a family statement signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan.
Born on October 22 1954 the former governor was 71.
Tinubu said Nigeria had lost a committed public servant whose leadership was devoted to the development of Delta State particularly in infrastructure healthcare delivery and programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents.
The President extended condolences to the deceased’s widow Roli; his children; former Delta State Governor James Ibori; the government and people of Delta State; and his political associates and friends.
The NGF through its chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq acknowledged Uduaghan’s role in advancing Delta’s development priorities and public administration.
Tompolo meanwhile recalled the former governor’s support for the Presidential Amnesty Programme and pipeline surveillance initiatives during the Niger Delta militancy crisis describing his death as a painful loss.
Other mourners including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) lawmakers and former members of Uduaghan’s administration also paid tribute to his life and service.
Tinubu: ‘His passing is a great loss to Delta and Nigeria’
In a condolence message Tinubu described Uduaghan as a public servant who devoted his years in office to the advancement of Delta State and the country.
The President recalled that the deceased served as Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 and Secretary to the State Government from 2003 to 2007 before winning the governorship election in 2007.
He said Uduaghan’s two-term administration which ended in 2015 placed him at the centre of the state’s political and developmental journey.
According to Tinubu the former governor pursued programmes designed to strengthen public infrastructure improve healthcare services and enhance the general well-being of residents.
‘After his tenure as governor Dr 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 said.
The President added: ‘His passing is a great loss to his family his community Delta State and the nation at large.’
Tinubu urged Deltans to draw strength from the former governor’s years of service and the relationships he built across political and social divides.
He particularly sympathised with Roli the deceased’s children and Ibori his cousin and predecessor in office.
‘May Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn him’ the President prayed.
NGF: ‘His years in office formed a significant chapter’
The NGF in a statement by its Director of Media and Strategic Communications Yunusa Abdullahi said Uduaghan’s years in office constituted a significant chapter in Delta State’s governance history.
AbdulRazaq who spoke on behalf of the forum said the former governor contributed to efforts to address the needs and aspirations of the state’s people.
‘The forum acknowledges his years of public service and the responsibilities he undertook in leading Delta State’ the statement said.
It described his death as a moment of grief for his family associates and the wider community while extending condolences to all those mourning him.
The forum said it stood in solidarity with the government and people of Delta State during the difficult period.
It also honoured Uduaghan’s place in the state’s governance history wishing his family and other mourners the strength to cope with the loss.
Oborevwori: ‘He was a detribalised leader’
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described Uduaghan as a detribalised leader whose contributions to the state’s development would remain indelible.
In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary Sir Festus Ahon the governor said the deceased’s leadership transcended ethnic differences and focused on the overall development of Delta State.
He recalled Uduaghan’s contributions to infrastructure and other areas of public service during his eight years in office.
Oborevwori sympathised with Roli the children the Uduaghan family the Itsekiri nation and Deltans praying for the peaceful repose of the former governor’s soul.
Tompolo: ‘He supported the Amnesty Programme’
Tompolo the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation and chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited said he received news of Uduaghan’s death with sadness.
In a condolence message signed by his media consultant Dr Paul Bebenimibo the Niger Delta leader said he did not expect the news at this time.
He recalled Uduaghan’s role during the Niger Delta militancy crisis particularly his support for the Presidential Amnesty Programme and pipeline surveillance contracts awarded during the administrations of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The former governor’s support for peace initiatives in the oil-producing region Tompolo said was among the contributions for which he would be remembered.
He prayed for God to grant the deceased’s family friends and associates the fortitude to bear the loss.
Omo-Agege: ‘Calm in a crisis a brother across party lines’
Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege described Uduaghan’s death as a profound personal loss recalling their time together in Ibori’s administration.
Omo-Agege said Uduaghan served as Secretary to the State Government while he was an Executive Assistant to the governor.
He described the deceased as ‘calm in a crisis loyal humane and decent’ adding that he ‘brought a doctor’s compassion into government’.
Although their political paths later diverged Omo-Agege said their mutual respect endured.
‘He remained a brother across party lines: a gentleman a bridge-builder and a man of peace’ he said.
Omo-Agege also commended Uduaghan’s Delta Beyond Oil vision saying it laid foundations that continued to shape the state’s development.
He extended condolences to the deceased’s wife children the Uduaghan family the Itsekiri nation Ibori and the people of Delta State.
CAN: ‘His commitment to dialogue remains commendable’
The Christian Association of Nigeria through its President Archbishop Daniel Okoh described Uduaghan’s contributions to public service and national unity as significant.
Okoh said the former governor played a notable role during a period of heightened political tension in the country.
He commended Uduaghan’s commitment to dialogue confidence-building and the preservation of national unity.
‘May God comfort them in this difficult moment’ the CAN president said in a prayer for the bereaved family the Delta State Government and all those mourning the deceased.
Family: ‘His life and service touched countless others’
The Uduaghan family described the former governor’s death as devastating saying his life and public service touched many people across Delta State and Nigeria.
‘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’ the statement said.
The family described him as ‘a source of strength a father figure a beloved brother and uncle and a respected elder’.
It acknowledged his contributions to human and infrastructural development in Delta State and prayed for comfort for relatives friends associates and former colleagues.
His daughter Orode Uduaghan the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Warri North I Constituency also paid an emotional tribute. ‘Thank you for everything. I love you yesterday today and forever. Sleep well Papa’ she wrote on her Facebook page.
Natasha: ‘Public office ends but memories endure’
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan described the deceased as a respected elder statesman and family patriarch whose life was marked by devotion to his family and years of public service.
She said his death represented not only the loss of a prominent political figure but also the departure of a father figure whose counsel and presence would be missed.
‘Public office eventually comes to an end but the memories of a life devoted to service endure’ she said urging the bereaved family to draw comfort from cherished memories.
Funkekeme: ‘Delta has lost a distinguished leader’
Funkekeme Solomon coordinator of the Delta State Renewed Hope Ambassadors and a former Commissioner for Works under Uduaghan described his death as a painful loss to Delta State and Nigeria.
He said serving under the former governor allowed him to witness his leadership style sense of responsibility and commitment to development.
‘For those of us who had the privilege of serving in his administration this loss is deeply personal’ he said.
Solomon added that Uduaghan’s contributions to infrastructure institutions and public welfare would remain part of Delta’s history.
Dafinone Joel-Onowakpo Ochei and others pay tribute
Senator Ede Dafinone representing Delta Central said Uduaghan’s contributions to governance infrastructure and peaceful coexistence would remain part of his legacy.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas representing Delta South described the deceased as his political father mentor and benefactor saying his death was a loss to Deltans and the Isoko nation.
Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Victor Ochei described Uduaghan as ‘a man of conviction resilience and restraint’. He highlighted his contributions to healthcare education roads and aviation as well as his commitment to dialogue and institutional cooperation.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Emomotimi Guwor also expressed grief describing the former governor as a passionate leader whose death was a loss to the state and the country.
Former Secretary to the State Government Ovuozourie Samuel Macaulay who served under Uduaghan as Chief of Staff commissioner and SSG described him as a boss elder brother and trusted friend.
Media associate Sunny Areh said: ‘Delta weeps today. The stethoscope that once listened to the heartbeat of our state is still.’
The Nigeria Union of Journalists Warri Correspondents’ Chapel also mourned Uduaghan describing him as a father figure who maintained cordial relations with journalists during his administration.
The chapel’s chairman Akpokona Omafuaire and secretary Edeki Igafe described him as ‘the most media-friendly Governor that Delta State has ever produced’.
The doctor who governed Delta for eight years
Born in Warri North Local Government Area Uduaghan attended Federal Government College Warri from 1968 to 1974 and obtained his MBBS degree from the University of Benin in 1980.
He specialised in anaesthesia worked in public and corporate healthcare facilities and established a private medical practice in 1994.
His political career began with his involvement in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ibori appointed him Commissioner for Health in 1999 before he became Secretary to the State Government in 2003.
Uduaghan won the 2007 governorship election although the Court of Appeal nullified the election in November 2010 and ordered a rerun. He returned to office after winning the January 2011 rerun and secured another victory in April that year completing his tenure in May 2015.
A defining feature of his administration was the Delta Beyond Oil initiative which sought to diversify the state’s economy and reduce dependence on crude oil revenue.
His government pursued road construction developed Asaba Airport and invested in education agriculture sports and healthcare. It also introduced free maternal healthcare and treatment for children under five.
After leaving office Uduaghan remained active in public affairs and moved between political parties leaving the PDP for the APC in 2018 returning to the PDP in 2020 and rejoining the APC in May 2025. Although he announced his retirement from active partisan politics in 2022 he continued to feature in the state’s political landscape.
His eight years in office healthcare interventions infrastructure projects and efforts to promote economic diversification have featured prominently in the tributes following his death.
As mourners reflect on his life the former governor is being remembered as a physician who moved into public administration a political leader who built relationships across party lines and a figure whose career spanned governance development and peace-building in the Niger Delta.