The sudden death of former Senator Peter Nwaoboshi has continued to generate conversations across Delta State’s political circles, following reports that he had reportedly signed a ₦1 billion contract with the state government less than 24 hours before his passing.
According to reliable sources within the Ministry of Education, the contract was awarded to the late senator’s company under directives allegedly issued by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Insiders described the contract as “a political settlement” intended to reposition Nwaoboshi ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid speculations of ongoing reconciliatory efforts within the state’s ruling party.
Confirming parts of the development, a senior official in the ministry, who preferred anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said documentation for the contract had been completed “a few hours before news of the senator’s demise broke.”
“Yes, the papers were finalized that day. It was a major project, and there were plans to ensure he benefited as part of the internal party realignments,” the source said.
While the government is yet to issue an official statement regarding the contract, sources in the ministry indicated that Governor Oborevwori has directed that the contract remain in the name of the late senator’s firm pending further decisions.
The cause of Nwaoboshi’s death has not been formally confirmed by his family, though multiple reports suggest he had been managing complications following a kidney transplant. A close family source hinted that the senator may have consumed alcohol against medical advice while celebrating the new contract award, leading to a health crisis.
Senator Nwaoboshi, who represented Delta North in the 8th and 9th National Assemblies, was a key figure in Delta politics and a known power broker within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before crossing over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the 2023 elections.
Political observers say his death leaves a vacuum in both the Anioma political landscape and in the balance of influence within Delta North’s political bloc.
