Wike hails Barry Mpigi as dependable ally

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has described Barinada Mpigi, the recently deceased senator representing Rivers South East senatorial district, as a dependable ally.

… says Ogoni has lost an illustrious son

He was speaking during a Night of Tributes held for the late senator in Port Harcourt on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Wike described the late Mpigi as a dependable ally who remained loyal when others faltered. He said the Rainbow Coalition—a coalition of the Rivers State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—had lost “a general” in the senator’s death.

He condoled with the Ogoni nation, which Mpigi represented in the Senate, over the loss of an illustrious son. Wike said the senator fought for his people, which eventually yielded results in the establishment of the Federal University of Technology in Tai.

The minister urged political associates and the Rainbow Coalition to stand firm with the Mpigis by providing support to the bereaved family.

Wike also announced a N500 million support fund from the coalition to sustain the legacies of the late senator.

Ferdinand Alabraba, chairman of the Rivers Elders Council, described Mpigi as one of the most active and committed members, whose contributions to public service and community development were both impactful and enduring.

Magnus Abe, Board Chairman of the Nigerian Offshore Petroleum Regulatory Commission, who spoke on behalf of Ogoni people, described Mpigi as a hero to his ethnic nation.

He said, “As I sat down here today, I was reflecting on the life that Barry had lived. We are all in black because we all know that Barry died young. He died at the time when the services to this country were most in need. But we also know that we are here because Barry’s life impacted all of us in so many ways.

“For us—for the Ogoni ethnic nationality—we cannot quantify what we have lost in Barinada. Over the years, there has been no growth, development, or progress that Ogoni has recorded without Barry’s imprint in one way or the other. Barry may have left us young, but during the time that he was here, his impact and his contribution—not just to the Ogoni Nation, but to Rivers State and Nigeria—will remain indelible,” he said.

Kelechi Nwogu, House of Representatives member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, described death as an inevitable reality, while condoling with the Mpigi family on the demise of the senator.