Rivers Senator, Barry Mpigi, dies at 64

The Nigerian Senate has again been thrown into mourning following the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District.

His death was confirmed by the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, who disclosed to AIT that the late lawmaker was said to have died of cancer.

Until his death, Senator Mpigi served as Chairman Senate Committee on Works in the 10th Senate.

The Senator is said to have been ill for several months, which kept him away from legislative duties prior to his passing.

Senator Mpigi, who was closely aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Mpigi was a two-term senator who served in both the 9th and 10th Senates.

He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 before advancing to the Senate.