The Delta State Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, is dead, describing the claim as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary anxiety among family members, friends, and supporters of the former governor.
The clarification was made on Wednesday by Ossai Ovie Success, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who said he took immediate steps to verify the information after the rumour began spreading across various online platforms.
According to Ossai, the false report generated widespread concern, prompting several people to reach out to him for confirmation. In response, he contacted members of Uduaghan’s family directly to ascertain the true situation.
In a post shared on his X handle and titled, “Former Governor Uduaghan Is Alive, Death Rumour False,” the governor’s media aide stated that he spoke with the former governor’s daughter, Orode Uduaghan, who categorically denied the report and confirmed that her father is alive, healthy, and in good condition.
Ossai explained that the growing circulation of the rumour had led to numerous inquiries from concerned citizens who wanted to know whether the report was genuine.
“I have just seen reports circulating online claiming that the former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, is dead. Some people have been reaching out to me asking, ‘Ossai Ovie Success, is the news real?’” he wrote.
He noted that because of the sensitivity of the matter and the status of the former governor as a respected elder statesman, it became necessary to verify the information before making any public statement.
Following his conversation with Orode Uduaghan, Ossai said it became clear that the reports were entirely false and should be disregarded by members of the public.
According to him, Orode assured him that her father was alive and going about his normal activities, contrary to the claims being circulated online.
The media aide urged residents of Delta State and Nigerians in general not to spread unverified information, especially reports concerning the health or death of public figures.
He warned that false information published on social media often causes emotional distress to families and loved ones, while also creating confusion among the public.
The latest incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation and fake news on digital platforms, where unverified reports can quickly gain traction before facts are established.
Observers note that death hoaxes involving prominent political leaders, entertainers, religious figures, and business personalities have become increasingly common in recent years, largely due to the speed at which information spreads online.
Many public figures have at different times been forced to publicly deny false reports about their deaths after such rumours gained widespread attention on social media.
Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan served as governor of Delta State from 2007 to 2015 and remains one of the state’s most prominent political figures. Since leaving office, he has continued to play influential roles in political and developmental discussions within the Niger Delta region and across the country.
The government’s swift response appears aimed at preventing the false report from gaining further momentum and reassuring the public that the former governor remains alive.
As reactions continued to trail the rumour, many political associates and supporters expressed relief following the clarification, while calling on social media users to exercise caution and verify information from credible sources before sharing it.
The Delta State Government reiterated that the report of Uduaghan’s death is entirely false and urged the public to ignore the claim, emphasizing that the former governor is alive and well.
