Emmanuel Uduaghan: Nigerians React As Former Delta Governor Dies At 71

The death of former Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users criticising his political legacy and others urging restraint, empathy and respect for the deceased.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Uduaghan died on Monday, October 19, at the age of 71, according to a statement issued by his family and signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan.

Following news of his death, users on X expressed differing views about his time in office, alleged corruption and the public discussion surrounding his health and ageing.

While some described his death in harsh terms, others cautioned against ridiculing a person over illness or physical frailty, stressing that old age and health challenges are part of life.

An X user, Akpan Etinan, reacted to the news, writing, “Quite sad, in as Much I don’t which this to any Man. But he deserved it.”

Another user, Chukwuemeka Nwosu, offered prayers for Uduaghan and his wife while cautioning against assuming guilt based on corruption allegations.

“I pray healing over his life and that of the wife. Not everyone with a corruption case is guilty,” Nwosu wrote.

Michael Oberabo condemned the use of illness as a reason to ridicule the former governor, arguing that his age and health challenges should be treated with compassion rather than turned into social media entertainment.

“Ill health is not something anyone should use to ridicule another person. We all know that if it were about money or access to care, Dr Uduaghan has the resources to access the best healthcare anywhere in the world,” Oberabo said.

He noted that people could experience health challenges as they aged, particularly after leaving active public service, and questioned the circulation of Uduaghan’s pictures if the intention was to mock him.

“Some people age with illness, especially when they are no longer in active service and under constant medical supervision. The man is over 70 years old, and I honestly do not see why his picture should be circulated everywhere except for the purpose of mockery.

“None of us knows how we will look or what we will be dealing with in the next 10 years. A little empathy and respect cost nothing. Ageing and health challenges are part of life, not entertainment for social media,” he added.

However, other users used the development to express anger over alleged corruption and what they considered the failure of political leaders to improve the lives of Nigerians.

A user identified as THE ODD THINKER compared Uduaghan’s condition with that of his 94-year-old father, arguing that public officeholders should be held accountable for their stewardship.

“My 94 years old dad is not this feeble. They steal like heaven will fall without recourse to the plight of the people they lead.

“Look most of them with all they stole, either they are battling dangerous ailment or the money vanished within a generation,” the user wrote.

Similarly, Dozie described the situation as unfortunate, writing, “Very unfortunate, these political criminals forget there’s a life after office and nature always has its way.”

Another user, @lagospikin, criticised Uduaghan over alleged misconduct in his personal life, writing, “What do you expect from someone as gov, who made sleeping with people’s wives his hobby? I can’t forget how he broke Ruke Amata’s home. Tueh! Uduaghan hasn’t started suffering yet, except there is no God.”

The allegations were not independently substantiated in the reactions provided.

Amid the criticism, another user, Niklauzi, offered a more favourable assessment of Uduaghan’s administration, arguing that Delta State recorded improvements in public services during his tenure.

“Yes he stole, but when Uduaghan was governor, public education was at its best and completely free in Delta State, transport, water, and road.

“Everything was working well.

“He stole the election, the people never wanted PDP or any of their affiliates in Delta State back then,” the user wrote.

Niklauzi did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegations of corruption or election manipulation.

Another user, Chimnoya, shifted attention from Uduaghan’s death to the state of healthcare and governance in Nigeria, arguing that political officeholders should build a country where they can access quality medical care in old age without travelling abroad.

“Yet the current ones in offices can never get sense to make Nigeria a better place that will benefit them at old age without dragging them like a tiger generator from India to London to Germany to France for medical treatments,” Chimnoya wrote.

Meanwhile, an X user identified as Unpopular Opinion urged people to see Uduaghan’s condition as a natural consequence of ageing rather than an opportunity for public ridicule.

“It’s just old age catching up on him. Nothing worth milking. We will all get old someday and be weak and feeble too,” the user wrote.

Uduaghan governed Delta State from 2007 to 2015. His death has prompted renewed public discussion of his administration and how former leaders should be remembered after leaving office.