The Nigerian Senate on Thursday was thrown into mourning following the sudden demise of Senator Barinada Mpigi, who died at the age of 64.
Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District, was one of the staunch supporters of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Until his passing on Thursday, Mpigi served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works.
He reportedly passed away after a brief illness at a yet-to-be-identified hospital. It was not clear the cause of the death of the federal lawmaker and where he passed on as of the time of filing this report.
The family of Senator Mpigi had yet to officially confirm the incident, but many political allies have taken to social media to mourn the death of the lawmaker.
A source alleged that the senator had been flown abroad for brain surgery after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, but this claim had not been independently verified.
The late lawmaker hailed from Tai Local Government Area, in the Ogoni ethnic nationality of Rivers State.
He previously served two terms in the House of Representatives, representing the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency.
Mpigi was a member of both the 9th and 10th Senates, serving in the current assembly until his demise.
