Atiku Joins In Mourning Tribune Newspaper Chief, Usigbe

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and 2027 presidential hopeful under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has expressed grief over the passing of Leon Usigbe, Abuja Bureau Chief of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN), publishers of the Nigerian Tribune.

In a brief tribute on Sunday, July 28, 2025, Atiku described Usigbe as “a journalist with a conviction”, recalling his resilience even after surviving a violent attack while covering a high-stakes PDP caucus meeting last year.

“I am saddened about the passing of Dr Leon Usigbe,” Atiku said. “He was a journalist with a conviction. This much I noticed about him when I spoke with him after he survived an armed attack in the line of duty covering some caucus meetings of the PDP last year.”

Atiku, who recently announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections, said he has already reached out to the management of Tribune to personally express his condolences.

“I have spoken with his editor, and I shared my pains and condolences with the management and staff of the ANN. I especially pray for his family to have the fortitude to bear this huge loss. May the Almighty accept his soul. Ameen,” he added.

Atiku’s message follows that of President Bola Tinubu, who also mourned the respected journalist, describing his death as a loss to the media community and Nigeria as a whole. Tinubu issued condolence message on July 26, 2025.

Usigbe, known for his political reporting from the nation’s capital, was a familiar face in press briefings and policy circles in Abuja, where he earned a reputation for principled journalism and in-depth analysis.

He reportedly died after a brief illness. Details of burial arrangements are yet to be made public.