Senate President Godswill Akpabio has described the death of former Delta State governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as shocking and a significant loss to Nigeria and the people of the Niger Delta, according to Channels Television. The reaction was reported on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
Other public figures also paid tribute, as reported by Nigerian outlets. President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences over the former governor's passing, according to Premium Times Nigeria. Punch Newspapers reported that Senator Ned Nwoko remembered Uduaghan as the most accessible governor Delta State has had.
TheCable published an obituary describing Uduaghan as a medical doctor and former governor who believed football could help end a war. Vanguard News reported that his remains were brought to Warri, where Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori visited the family.
Uduaghan's tenure as governor of the oil-producing state places him among the political figures whose deaths draw attention from across Nigeria's leadership, and the reactions reported so far span the presidency, the Senate and his home state.
Further details of the funeral arrangements, and any additional statements from political and community leaders, are expected to follow.
