Barinada Mpigi, senator representing Rivers south-east and chairman of the senate committee on works, is dead.
According to the Cable, Mpigi died at the age of 64 after a period of illness.
Ogoshi Onawo, chairman of the senate committee on culture, arts, and creative economy, announced Mpigi’s death on Wednesday during the budget defence session of the committee.
Members of the committee observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late lawmaker.
Akin Alabi, chairman of the house of representatives committee on works, confirmed the development in a tribute posted on X.
“Good night my dear friend. Rest in Peace, Senator Mpigi Barinada. Sen Mpigi represented Rivers South East in the Senate,” Alabi wrote.
In recent months, Rufai Hanga, deputy chairman of the senate committee on works, had presided over several meetings of the committee, including budget defence sessions.
Mpigi was regarded as an influential political figure in Rivers state, noted for his grassroots network and engagement with constituents.
He was also known as a close ally of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Before his death, the late lawmaker was among senators from Rivers state who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025.
Mpigi was first elected into the national assembly in 2011, representing the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo federal constituency in the house of representatives.
With his passing, Mpigi becomes the fourth senator to die since the inauguration of the 10th senate in June 2023.
Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra south, died in July 2024, while Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu north, passed away in November 2025.
Godiya Akwashiki, Nasarawa north senator, died in December 2025
