Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, has revealed that late Senator Barry Mpigi dumped the People’s Democratic Party for the ruling All Progressives Congress after seeing his good works as Chairman of the National Assembly.
Akpabio disclosed this while speaking at the funeral service of the late senator at Missionary Anglican Church in Koroma Tai in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday.
While describing Mpigi as a brother, team player, and loyal party man, he said the late senator contributed greatly as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, inspecting several road projects.
He stated, “Senator Mpigi was like a brother to me. He was a great contributor to all the debates and activities in the Senate. I will say that the entire Senate moved as one to condole and console the wife, the children, the brothers, and the Ogoni people,” he said.
He said the National Assembly will hold a special day of tribute in honour of its own Senator Barry Mpigi, who passed away in February 2026.
Akpabio appealed to Mpigi’s family to grant both houses of the federal legislature to celebrate one of their own, whom he describes as an advocate and a strong character in line with the extant tradition.
He explained that the request became necessary because the Senate was already on recess after attending to sundry issues, including the National Budget and political party congresses and conventions, when the family notified its leadership of the burial rites.
“I will plead with members of the family to indulge us by granting one day of tribute in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When the date reaches us in line with our tradition, both chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the House of Representatives close on that day.
“Though we miss him so much, we must pay him the desired tribute that must be given to a Senator who has served Nigeria and who even in death is still serving Nigeria,” Akpabio stated.
Also speaking, the late Senator’s brother, Venerable Muele Mpigi, apologized to the church for the errors and omissions in the funeral service program, saying he takes responsibility.
He then announced a N50m donation on behalf of the Senate to maintain the church, which Mpigi built as directed by Akpabio.
“My Lord, the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio has directed that I inform you that on behalf of the Senate, N50m has been donated to maintain this church.
He promised that the family would respond to the request of the National Assembly for a day of tribute for their brother and thanked members of the national assembly, the FCT Minister, friends and colleagues, and the church for their support during their trying moments.
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