By Mick Oseji, Asaba
WARRI — Torrents of tributes have continued to pour in for former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, as his remains arrived in the state Tuesday, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his wife, Tobore, and members of the late governor’s family receiving them at Osubi Airport in Okpe Local Government Area.
The arrival of the remains was accompanied by fresh expressions of grief and tributes from political leaders, public office holders and prominent stakeholders, who recalled Uduaghan’s contributions to governance, infrastructure, healthcare, peacebuilding and the promotion of unity across Delta State and the Niger Delta region.
Among those who paid tribute to the former governor were the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi; Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie; former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; NDC governorship candidate, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye; Coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), Chief Joseph Evah; former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Onwusanya; and former Nigerian envoy to Thailand, Ambassador Oma Djebah.
Following the arrival of the remains, Oborevwori and his wife visited the deceased’s residence in Warri, where they commiserated with his widow, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan, and other members of the family.
Describing the late governor as his boss and political benefactor, Oborevwori recalled the support Uduaghan extended to him and his appointment as one of his special advisers in 2007.
He said the former governor made significant contributions to Delta State’s development, particularly in the establishment of the Asaba International Airport.
“He contributed immensely to the development of Delta State, most especially the Asaba International Airport. He was a man of few words. He was very articulate, calm. He has gone, but he can never be forgotten by Deltans,” Oborevwori said.
Uduaghan’s death was announced on Monday by his son, Toju. He was 71.
The former governor served Delta State from 2007 to 2015. Before becoming governor, he served as commissioner for health and secretary to the state government under the administration of former Governor James Ibori.
Obi recalls close relationship with Uduaghan
Obi, in his condolence message, expressed sadness over Uduaghan’s death, recalling the cordial relationship they maintained while serving as governors of their respective states.
He said the former Delta governor treated him like a younger brother, adding that their relationship extended beyond their official responsibilities.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my very dear elder brother, His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State. In my interactions with him, he treated me like his junior brother,” Obi said.
He also recalled their collaboration in advocating the award of the contract for the Second Niger Bridge, describing the project as important to national integration, commerce and the development of the South-East and South-South regions.
Obi extended his condolences to the Uduaghan family, the Delta State Government and the people of the state, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased.
Ebie, Obaseki acknowledge contributions to public service
The NDDC chairman, Ebie, described Uduaghan’s death as a moment of collective grief, noting that his contributions to public service would continue to inspire future generations.
In a condolence statement issued through his media aide, Jerome-Mario Utomi, Ebie said the former governor’s significance went beyond the political offices he occupied and the milestones he recorded in government.
“Beyond the offices he occupied and the political milestones he recorded, Dr. Uduaghan was a son of Delta whose life was intertwined with the aspirations, challenges and development journeys of his people,” he said.
On behalf of his family and the NDDC Governing Board and Management, Ebie commiserated with the deceased’s family and the people of Delta State, praying that God would grant them the strength to bear the loss.
Similarly, former Edo State Governor, Obaseki, described Uduaghan’s death as a painful loss to Delta State, the South-South region and Nigeria’s political community.
Obaseki said Uduaghan, a medical doctor by training, brought a strong sense of service to governance and pursued a vision of a Delta State capable of reducing its dependence on oil during his tenure.
He noted that the former governor invested in the welfare of the people and promoted cooperation among states in the South-South region.
According to him, Uduaghan’s developmental initiatives and the relationships he built during his years in public service would remain important parts of his legacy.
Iyovwaye highlights Delta Beyond Oil initiative
The NDC governorship candidate, Iyovwaye, said he received the news of Uduaghan’s death with a heavy heart, describing the late governor as an elder brother with whom he shared a relationship founded on mutual respect.
He said Uduaghan’s administration would be remembered for the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, which sought to diversify the state’s economy, as well as its interventions in healthcare, education, infrastructure and human capital development.
Iyovwaye extended his condolences to the deceased’s wife, children and other members of the Uduaghan family, as well as the Itsekiri nation and the people of Delta State.
He prayed for strength for the bereaved family and eternal rest for the departed former governor.
Uduaghan was a political bridge-builder without bitterness — Evah
The Coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group, Chief Joseph Evah, described Uduaghan as a compassionate leader whose commitment to humanity and regional unity distinguished his years in public service.
Evah, a former publicity secretary of the Ijaw National Congress, said the late governor represented an important symbol of political cooperation in the Niger Delta and pursued infrastructure development without ethnic bias.
“Dr. Uduaghan was the first political symbol of Niger Delta unity. He was a political bridge builder without bitterness. His distribution of infrastructures across the state was without bias,” he said.
Recalling an encounter with Uduaghan at the Ijaw Monitoring Group’s office in Lagos in 2006, when the former governor was seeking election, Evah said the visit reflected his appreciation of the struggles and aspirations of different ethnic groups in the Niger Delta.
According to Evah, Uduaghan toured the Niger Delta Hall of Fame during the visit and acknowledged the significance of the personalities represented there, including those associated with campaigns for justice, environmental protection and regional development.
Evah said the former governor recognised that the diverse struggles of the people of the region were connected by a common desire for genuine unity.
A detribalised statesman sleeps — Agbeyi
Chairman of Ifiekporo Community in Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Monday Agbeyi, described Uduaghan’s death as a painful personal tragedy and a significant loss to Delta State and Nigeria.
Agbeyi, who said he shared a close relationship with the deceased, described him as a father, mentor and confidant whose leadership was defined by compassion, peace, unity and human development.
He said he was overwhelmed by shock and disbelief when he received news of the former governor’s death.
In a condolence statement, Agbeyi described Uduaghan as a detribalised Nigerian whose leadership transcended ethnic, political and religious boundaries.
He said the former governor consistently demonstrated his belief in the unity of Delta State and Nigeria, maintaining that leadership should be guided by compassion, inclusiveness and a commitment to the common good rather than narrow ethnic or political interests.
Onwusanya, Djebah mourn former governor
Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Onwusanya, also expressed sadness over Uduaghan’s death, describing him as a former boss and one of the Deltans who made significant contributions to peace, unity and development in the state.
Onwusanya said the late governor was a leader who related with people across ethnic and political divides, irrespective of their party affiliations.
He commiserated with the Uduaghan family, friends, political associates and others affected by the loss, praying for the peaceful repose of the former governor’s soul and the strength for those he left behind to bear the loss.
In a separate condolence message, former Nigerian envoy to Thailand, Ambassador Oma Djebah, described Uduaghan as a visionary statesman whose contributions to peacebuilding, human capital development and infrastructure would remain part of Delta State’s history.
Djebah said he was deeply shocked by the former governor’s death, recalling his dedication to public service and his commitment to the development of Delta State and Nigeria.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened over the sad demise of this great leader, a patriot, and a very compassionate administrator who gave his all in his service to Delta State and Nigeria,” he said.
He added that Uduaghan’s death had created a void that would be difficult to fill, noting that his contributions to public life had earned him the respect of many across the region.
Djebah also recalled the former governor’s role in efforts to promote peace and security in the Niger Delta, particularly during the region’s period of heightened tension.
Describing him as resilient, forthright and visionary, Djebah said Uduaghan was a respected boss, friend, leader and administrator.
“His politics was highly refined. He led from the front, and with his heart,” he said.
As condolences continue to reach the Uduaghan family, the tributes from political leaders and community stakeholders reflect the late governor’s enduring place in Delta State’s political history, particularly his emphasis on infrastructure development, regional cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
