Nigeria, Feb. 20 -- Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has expressed "deep shock and sadness" over the death of a Nigerian Senator, Barinada Mpigi.

Mr Mpigi, who represents Rivers South-east District, was an ally of Mr Fubara's predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Rivers senator died in the early hours of Thursday after a prolonged illness.

He was 64.

In a statement on Thursday by the governor's spokesperson, Onwuka Nzeshi, Mr Fubara described Mr Mpigi as a "brother, a consummate politician and one of the leading lights in Rivers State."

Governor Fubara said that the senator died at a "critical time" when his services were still needed by the people of Ri...