We’ve lost Ogoni ‘pioneer governor,’ Mpigi’s community mourns senator
The mood at Koroma Tai community of the late Sen. Barry Mpigi, who passed on in a London hospital recently, was nothing but that of sadness, gloom and sorrow, as
The mood at Koroma Tai community of the late Sen. Barry Mpigi, who passed on in a London hospital recently, was nothing but that of sadness, gloom and sorrow, as the community felt empty and quiet when our reporter visited last weekend.
The feeling of the death of their illustrious son was so heavy in the community, as people were seen either standing or sitting in clusters, apparently discussing the incident.
The same subject matter equally dominated the Port Harcourt/ Bori-bound commercial bus our reporter boarded to Nonwa Gbam, where she alighted to join a motorcycle to the senator’s community, more than two kilometres away from Nonwa junction.
One question was paramount on the lips of the discussants in the vehicle, how did this happen to Sen. Mpigi ‘’now that we need him most, when he was supposed to be the governor Ogoni people have ever clamoured for? Could this be one of the political gimmicks or is it divine?
They said it was a done deal that he would make it to the Brick House in 2027. They noted: “He was our governorship hopeful, but at this juncture, Ogoni people should forget anything about governorship for now.”
Even when some of the occupants attempted to suggest the names of other prominent politicians from the area, who could take on the slot, the majority shouted them down, saying: “All these people have no strong political relevance to earn the seat, particularly when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is a factor in the decision.’’
Corroborating the passengers, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of Koroma, Tai Ayirikakebi, confirmed that the late senator was indeed the hope of the Ogoni for governorship in 2027, noting that his death had stripped them of the chance to produce the next governor of the state.
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Ayirikakebi said: “The people of the community were planning to embark on a solidarity visit to invite him to run for governor next year.
“We know that since the creation of Rivers State in 1967, no Ogoni person has ever become governor. Although some persons from the area have at one time or another made attempts to become the governor, none has succeeded. We were sure he would have succeeded if he were to be alive, because the entire Rivers people were thinking the same thing also.’’
Ayirikakebi, who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Tai Local Government, described the death as a huge shock.
The same belief was also held by several others in the village, as those who spoke to our reporter in the community sounded the same.
They said: “Barry Mpigi was a good man, and also a good politician. He would have been our governor in 2027. We’re sad to learn he has died.”
Speaking to The Nation in the company of the Paramount Ruler of the community, Gbenemene Sunday, Ayirikakebi said: “News of the death of our mentor, brother and father, Senator Pari Mpigi, came to us as a shock. It is a big loss; the entire Koroma community is in a sober mood. We have lost someone who we can’t find a suitable replacement for in the next 30 years or even more.
“Sen. Mpigi was a son of Koroma who had the development and welfare of his people at heart. He was a two-time council chairman. That was where he began his political career. Then, Koroma Tai was very backward, had no access road, no light, no potable water, but he gave us the amenities without looking back.
“He was the benefactor to the entire community and several other people in the four council areas of Ogoni land (Tai, Khana, Gokana and Eleme), with many students in school under his care.
“Since the news of his demise, I have not changed my clothe, neither have I eaten anything, I lost my appetite, I have been at a spot. This is how it has been in the community since the tragic death.
“We’re completely devastated, the community is covered in gloom, nobody, young and old, has been able to lift their feet. Thursday was a black day for the people of Koroma Tai, home and abroad. We have lost a rare gem, an irreplaceable figure, our heart is shattered, we’re now helpless. But what can we do, we cannot question God.”
Speaking on his legacies to the community, the APC chairman, who looked completely broken, devastated, with face looking moody, slightly swollen and eyes red, apparently caused by frequent tears, recalled the impactful leadership style of Sen. Mpigi, noting that he was a grassroots leader, who prioritised the need of his community and constituents more than his personal gains.
“As the pioneer commissioner for youths in the state, Sen. Mpigi employed and empowered several youths of the state and the Ogoni, I am one of the beneficiaries. He made me who and what I am, today, I am Tai APC chairman. He has attracted several state and federal government projects and establishments to our community and council area. The most recent is the newly-established Ogoni Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), which has just kick-started.
“Everybody in Ogoni and Koroma Tai community benefitted from him, either directly or indirectly. He had programmes for every strata of the community,- the chiefs, men, women, youths and the elderly.
“Mpigi brought numerous projects to Ogoni,
he empowered almost every family in Ogoni. He gave people cars, motorbikes, scholarships, farm implements, etc.’’
The late Mpigi was the senator representing Rivers SouthEast Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly before he died at 64.
