By Ayomide Otitoju
Mpigi, who served in the 10th National Assembly, passed away at the age of 64 after a brief illness. His death was confirmed on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Until his demise, he chaired the Senate Committee on Works, where he oversaw legislative supervision of federal road infrastructure and public works projects. His federal legislative career spanned over a decade.
Reacting to the development, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed “deep shock and sadness” in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi.
The governor described the late senator as “a brother, a consummate politician, and one of the leading lights in Rivers State,” noting that his death came at a time when his leadership and experience were still needed. He extended condolences to Mpigi’s family, constituents in Rivers South-East, and members of the Senate, urging them to take solace in the impactful life he lived.
Mpigi began his federal legislative journey in the House of Representatives, representing the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency from 2011 to 2019. He was first elected to the Senate in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.
A longstanding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, he was regarded as a strong voice in Rivers politics, particularly on infrastructure development and constituency empowerment. Though there were indications of a recent political shift toward the All Progressives Congress, he remained influential across party lines.
An indigene of Tai Local Government Area and a prominent figure within the Ogoni ethnic group, Mpigi was known for educational support initiatives, including scholarship and postgraduate grant programmes for youths in his district.
