FOR IMMEDIATE-RELEASEIjaw-Leadership-Issues-Bold-Statement-of-Solidarity+Following-London-Visit-to-Mrs.-Diezani-Alison-Madueke

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​Ijaw Leadership Issues Bold Statement of Solidarity Following London Visit to Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke

Dave Ikiedei Asei/Wisdom Tide News/London, UK/February 4th 2026

​LONDON, UK — Following a high-level visit to former Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have issued a joint statement reaffirming the unbreakable bond of the Ijaw people.

​The delegation, which included Prof. Benjamin Okaba (President, INC) and Amb. Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali (Chairman, PANDEF), alongside a cohort of distinguished Ijaw elders and professionals, met in London to provide moral and communal support to their daughter amidst her ongoing legal challenges in the United Kingdom.

​Core Pillars of the Solidarity Mission

​The leadership outlined three primary reasons for the mission, emphasizing that the Ijaw Nation’s strength lies in its refusal to abandon its own:

• ​Cultural Duty: The Ijaw people hold a deep-rooted tradition of standing by their kin. The delegation noted that their presence is an act of "ethnic brotherhood" that stands above partisan politics.
• ​Resilience & Strength: The visit highlights the resilient character of the Niger Delta people, showcasing a community that remains undeterred by external pressures.
• ​A Message of Support: By identifying with Mrs. Alison-Madueke on a global stage, the INC and PANDEF leadership aim to provide the psychological and emotional fortitude required during this period.

​Official Statement from Leadership

​"The Ijaw Nation is not just a tribe; we are a global family. Our history is one of courage and standing firm when others might falter. We have come to London to remind our daughter, Diezani, and the world at large, that the Ijaw people do not let their own down. We are a strong, resilient people, and we stand in absolute solidarity with her."

— Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the INC

​A Unified Front

​This visit marks a significant moment of regional unity. By bringing together the intellectual weight of Professor Okaba and the diplomatic experience of Ambassador Igali, the Ijaw Nation has demonstrated a sophisticated and unified front in the heart of the UK.

​The delegation concluded the visit by reiterating that the dignity of the Ijaw person must be protected at all times, asserting that the spirit of the Niger Delta remains unbowed.