Senator Ibrahim Calls on Global Parliament to Back Defense Ministry Budget
Senator Ibrahim Calls on Global Parliament to Back Defense Ministry Budget
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, along with experts in modern warfare studies, has called on global parliamentarians to advocate for annual budget allocations to Ministries of Defence as a strategy to combat rising insecurity worldwide.
Speaking at the 150th inter-parliamentary meeting in Uzbekistan, Ibrahim highlighted the importance of collaboration to support defense budgets, noting that insecurity is expected to escalate throughout the 21st century.
He emphasized the necessity for a collaborative approach towards security funding, contending that human life is invaluable. “The fundamental question for governments and security agencies should be: security for whom, when, and how?” he stated.
Ibrahim pointed out that tackling issues of power and insecurity, along with their underlying factors, is crucial to maintaining global security. He warned that ongoing governmental failures in effectively addressing poverty will only worsen insecurity.
He expressed concern that governments seem trapped in a cycle of fear and courage regarding their security strategies, with fear dominating decisions amidst significant challenges. “Life is becoming increasingly complicated as we contend with these issues, and our defense framework reflects this reality. It is only a matter of time before one of these sentiments—fear or courage—prevails,” he warned.
Ibrahim noted that he perceives a sense of fear within government leadership, leading to crises that exacerbate insecurity. Addressing questions from international media in Uzbekistan, he urged Parliament to adopt a more supportive and constructive role in overseeing budget appropriations for the Ministry of Defence, rather than merely fulfilling traditional oversight functions.
He pointed out that a noticeable disconnect exists between efforts to reduce poverty and the efficiency of government actions, which contributes to domestic insecurity. Ibrahim cautioned that when Parliament focuses solely on oversight of security expenditures, it may unintentionally worsen insecurity.
He advocated for the establishment and management of robust systems and processes, which he believed could play a significant role in addressing fraud related to security spending—a major concern for parliamentary oversight.
