Breaking: Rivers Senator Barinada Mpigi Dies at 64, Senate Plunged into Mourning

 The Nigerian Senate just lost one of its member Senator Barinada Mpigi, the lawmaker representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District. The 64-year-old politician, who chaired the powerful Senate Committee on Works, died on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after battling a prolonged illness, according to multiple reports from family sources, close associates, and National Assembly insiders.

Born on June 23, 1961, Mpigi had a long and distinguished career in Nigerian politics. He first entered the National Assembly in 2011 as a member of the  House of Representatives  for the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency, securing re-election for a second term in 2015. In 2019, he stepped up to the Senate under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winning the Rivers South-East seat and earning re-election in 2023 for the current 10th Assembly.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Mpigi played a key role in overseeing federal infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and related developments nationwide. Colleagues and observers often praised his contributions to plenary discussions, particularly on issues affecting the Niger Delta, such as environmental governance and regional development.

Mpigi was widely regarded as a staunch political ally of  Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). His loyalty to Wike remained consistent through various political shifts, including a recent defection from the PDP to the  All Progressives Congress (APC) in recent months.

The news of his death broke on Thursday, with tributes pouring in from across the political spectrum. A source close to the National Assembly confirmed to reporters that Mpigi succumbed to his illness in the early hours of the day. While some accounts described the illness as brief, others noted it had lingered for several months, though the exact cause has not been publicly disclosed.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara expressed profound shock and grief in a statement released through his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi. He described the late senator as a "brother," a "consummate politician," and one of the state's leading lights, adding that Mpigi's passing came at a difficult time when his experience and service were still sorely needed by the people of Rivers.

Federal lawmaker Akin Alabi, a close friend of Mpigi, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, writing a simple but poignant farewell: "Good night my dear friend. Rest in Peace, Senator Mpigi Barinada." Other colleagues in the Senate echoed similar sentiments, highlighting his dedication and the void his absence will leave in the upper chamber.

Mpigi's death marks the latest in a series of losses among serving senators in the 10th National Assembly, which has seen several members pass away since its inauguration in June 2023. The Senate leadership is expected to issue a formal statement of condolence, and arrangements for his burial are likely to be announced soon by his family.

As Rivers State and the National Assembly come to terms with this loss, many are reflecting on Mpigi's legacy as a bridge-builder in a politically turbulent region. His commitment to infrastructure and community development earned him respect across party lines, even amid Nigeria's often divided political landscape.