By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has reportedly passed away at the age of 71.

Uduaghan, who led Delta State for two terms between 2007 and 2015, reportedly died on the morning of Monday, October 19, 2026.

His death was announced in a statement issued by the family and signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan on their behalf.

The family described his passing as a painful loss, noting that his contributions and years of service left a lasting impact on individuals and communities across Delta State and Nigeria.

“He was a source of strength, a father figure, a beloved brother and uncle, and a respected elder. We will deeply miss his presence and forever cherish the memories and legacy he leaves behind,” the statement read.

Before becoming governor, Uduaghan served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 and later held the position of Secretary to the State Government from 2003 to 2007.

He assumed office as governor in 2007 and spent eight years leading the state, with a focus on advancing human development and infrastructure.

While mourning their loss, the family expressed gratitude to God for his life and the service he rendered, while offering prayers for strength and comfort for those grieving his passing.

“Your memory will forever remain in our hearts, and your legacy will endure in the lives of those you touched,” the statement added.

The Astute Civil Society for Cultural and Humanity Development has expressed concern over the exclusion of some governorship candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, calling for transparency, fairness and a review of disputed cases.

Comrade Ibrahim Ali, who represented the organisation, stated this on Saturday while addressing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Kano, during a press conference on democratic principles, electoral fairness, the rule of law and peaceful coexistence.

Ali said the organisation was concerned about reports that several candidates had been omitted from INEC’s final list, including Kano State Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso.

He said similar concerns had emerged in other states, particularly Gombe and Ogun, where the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidates, Isa Ali Pantami and Oladipupo Adebutu, popularly known as Ladi Adebutu, alongside his running mate, were reportedly affected by the omissions.

According to Ali, the developments had attracted public attention and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the affected candidates’ nominations and their exclusion from the final list.

The civil society organisation acknowledged that INEC had attributed the exclusions to compliance with statutory requirements relating to political party membership registers, following a recent Supreme Court judgment.

However, Ali said the organisation recognised the importance of complying with electoral laws and respecting judicial decisions while insisting that disputed cases should be examined fairly and transparently.

He maintained that the organisation was not demanding special treatment for any candidate or political party but was advocating a process that would allow relevant facts, submitted evidence and applicable legal provisions to be considered before conclusions were reached.

“Our position is simple: compliance with the law must be upheld, and where an omission is disputed, the facts should be examined fairly and the outcome clearly communicated,” Ali said.

He added that no candidate should automatically be presumed eligible simply because an omission was challenged, just as no disputed exclusion should be treated as beyond review without considering the relevant facts and provisions of the law.

Ali urged INEC to establish a fair, transparent and case-specific review process for affected candidates and political parties, stressing that electoral authorities had a responsibility to administer the electoral process impartially and consistently.

He said democracy depended on institutions that applied the law fairly, political parties that fulfilled their statutory obligations and candidates who met the prescribed requirements.

The organisation further called on INEC to communicate clearly with affected political parties, examine properly submitted complaints within the applicable timelines and take corrective action wherever the facts and law justified such steps.

Ali noted that transparent handling of the disputed cases would help strengthen public confidence in the electoral commission and demonstrate that electoral administration was guided by evidence, due process and impartiality.

On the implications of the controversy for peace and stability, he warned that unresolved electoral disputes could undermine public trust, deepen mistrust among political stakeholders and create avoidable tensions within communities.

He observed that Kano State, like other parts of Nigeria, had a diverse population with competing political interests and strong expectations regarding democratic participation, making transparent communication of electoral decisions particularly important.

According to him, uncertainty surrounding the exclusion of candidates could generate public anxiety, especially where affected political parties and their supporters believed their concerns had not received adequate consideration.

Ali, however, stressed that the organisation did not intend to alarm the public, assign blame or threaten any institution, but rather to encourage the timely, lawful and peaceful resolution of electoral disputes.

He urged political parties, candidates, their supporters, civil society organisations and members of the public to remain calm, exercise restraint and pursue their grievances through established legal and administrative channels.

The organisation also cautioned political actors against allowing differences over electoral matters to degenerate into hostility, emphasising that peace, national unity and democratic progress should take precedence over partisan interests.

As part of its recommendations, the group called on INEC to undertake a thorough review of disputed exclusions involving candidates and political parties that maintained they had fulfilled the applicable statutory requirements.

It also urged the commission to provide clear, case-specific explanations whenever a candidate was excluded, including references to the relevant legal provisions and the facts informing the decision.

Ali said that where a review established that an exclusion resulted from an error, INEC should take appropriate corrective measures, provided such action was permitted under the applicable legal framework.

The organisation further urged all political parties, candidates and public institutions to respect the rule of law and comply with lawful court decisions, noting that electoral disputes should be resolved through established procedures rather than inflammatory public statements.

It also called on relevant institutions to communicate transparently and act impartially to protect public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reaffirming the organisation’s position, Ali said its intervention was not an endorsement of any political party or candidate but a call for an electoral process in which the law was respected, legitimate concerns received fair consideration and public institutions remained accountable to citizens.

He also urged the media to report electoral developments accurately and responsibly, saying journalists had an important role to play in informing the public, promoting accountability and creating an atmosphere conducive to peaceful democratic participation.

Ali called on INEC to ensure that disputed exclusions were addressed promptly and transparently, while urging political stakeholders and citizens to place the interests of their communities and the country above partisan differences.

He said the organisation remained committed to promoting democratic principles, cultural and human development, peaceful coexistence and responsible civic engagement as Nigeria prepared for another electoral cycle.

WHC Solar, a Chinese company specialising in solar energy products, has trained about 300 youths in Kano State on the technical installation and configuration of solar power systems to improve safety and expand employment opportunities in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.

The one-day training, held at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano on Saturday, attracted participants from different parts of Nigeria and beyond, with practical sessions focused on the proper installation of inverters, lithium batteries and other solar power components.

Speaking at the opening of the programme, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Clint Chan, said the training was organised to equip solar installers with the technical knowledge and practical experience required to deliver quality services to customers.

Chan explained that the company had observed that some solar installers lacked sufficient technical knowledge, resulting in installation errors that could damage equipment or cause fire outbreaks.

He said the initiative was aimed at addressing such challenges by improving the competence of technicians and promoting the safe and efficient use of solar energy systems.

“We noticed that some installers may not fully understand the technology, which can lead to mistakes that could damage a product or even cause fire outbreak,” Chan said.

He added that the training would help participants develop their technical capabilities and become more experienced professionals capable of contributing to society through improved service delivery.

According to Chan, the practical sessions covered the installation and configuration of inverters and lithium batteries, including how the different components communicate and function together within a solar power system.

He said proper understanding of the relationship between the components was essential to ensuring that solar installations operated efficiently, safely and in accordance with technical requirements.

Chan also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Nigerian market, saying WHC Solar intended to continue investing in the country’s renewable energy sector and supporting the growing demand for solar power solutions.

He disclosed that the company had a service centre in Kano, through which it provided support for customers using its solar products in residential homes, commercial establishments and industrial facilities.

The chief executive said participants who completed the programme were expected to receive certificates in recognition of their participation and the technical knowledge acquired during the training.

Chan further stated that the company, which he said had been operating for about 10 years, was committed to making solar energy solutions available to Nigerians for domestic, commercial and industrial applications.

Also speaking at the event, Sani Abdulkadir, popularly known as ABDK, said he attended the training as a distributor of the company’s products.

Abdulkadir explained that customers experiencing technical problems with WHC Solar products could take them to the company’s service centre for repairs, adding that some repairs could be completed within 24 hours.

He commended the company for organising the training and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire technical skills that could improve their employment prospects and support self-reliance.

Abdulkadir noted that the growing adoption of solar energy in Nigerian households reflected increasing public interest in alternative electricity sources.

“Before, you could count the number of houses using solar energy, but the situation is changing as more people are embracing it,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the expansion of solar energy adoption would create more opportunities for trained technicians, distributors and other professionals working in the renewable energy value chain.

The training comes amid growing interest in solar power solutions among Nigerian households and businesses seeking alternative sources of electricity, with technical expertise and proper installation remaining important factors in ensuring the safety, reliability and durability of solar systems.