By Our Reporters
A former acting governor of Delta State, Mr. Sam Obi is dead.
He passed away at the early hours of Saturday in Asaba, the state capital after a brief illness.
A former Press Secretary to Sam Obi, confirmed the death to The Union Nigeria this morning in a phone call.
Sam Obi became acting governor in 2010 when the Appeal Court, Benin, nullified the election of former governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and ordered a re-run.
Prior to assuming the office of acting governor, Mr. Obi was the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, following the impeachment of the former Speaker, Martin Okonta.
Obi represented Ika North-East constituency at the House till 2015 when he did not seek re-election after two consecutive terms.
At the inception of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration, Obi was appointed Special Adviser, a position that was not renewed in 2019 after Okowa’s re-election for second tenure.
He was last seen at a public function on Wednesday March 31, 2021 at the annual lecture of Maris Trust Council which held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
Meanwhile, a former Senator representing Delta Central District, Mr Ighoyota Amori has said the death of Sam Obi, “this morning is sad and painful.”
“He was a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and acting Governor of Delta State at a time. He was a foundation member of the People’s Democratic Party starting from the Grassroots Democratic Movement days. May his soul rest in peace.”
