TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Chairman of the Senate Interparliamentary Committee, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has warned that failure by governments to address poverty will continue to fuel insecurity across regions. He made the remarks during the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly held in Uzbekistan.
Speaking to fellow lawmakers and international media, Ibrahim stressed that poverty and insecurity are deeply interconnected, and urged parliaments worldwide to prioritise defence spending and shift towards supportive, rather than solely investigative roles in matters of national security.
Security for Whom, When, and How?
In a statement released by his media team in Abuja, Senator Ibrahim highlighted the need for governments to ask fundamental questions about who is being protected, at what cost, and by what means.
“The central question for governments and security agencies should be: security for whom, when, and how? Addressing power and insecurity issues alongside their ecosystems is key to the security of the geocentric system,” Ibrahim said.
He warned that government inaction on poverty is likely to worsen regional instability, as rising deprivation fuels desperation and violence.
Oversight vs. Support: A Delicate Balance
The Senator also called on parliamentarians to rethink traditional oversight roles, especially in relation to defence spending. According to him, overly aggressive scrutiny of Ministries of Defence may inadvertently undermine national security efforts.
“When Parliament functions merely as an oversight entity examining security expenditures, it might inadvertently foster insecurity,” he argued.
Instead, Ibrahim advocated for enhanced collaboration between legislatures and security agencies, noting that efficient systems and transparent processes are the most effective tools to fight fraud and mismanagement in defence budgets.
Fear and Courage in Governance
Describing a fluctuating pattern in governmental responses to security crises, Ibrahim said the current system oscillates between fear and courage, with fear often taking hold.
“I saw fear within government leadership, leading to unprecedented crises and heightened insecurity,” he said. “It is only a matter of time before one of these emotions—fear or courage—prevails.”
Global Call to Action
Senator Ibrahim’s remarks come as global insecurity trends worsen, with conflict, poverty, and political instability overlapping in many regions. He urged his counterparts to invest in preventative measures, not just reactive solutions.
As a former Ondo State governorship aspirant, Ibrahim has been a long-time advocate for governance reforms and national stability.
His address adds to ongoing discussions at the IPU Assembly on how lawmakers can contribute more meaningfully to global peace and security, particularly through constructive legislative engagement and increased investment in social infrastructure.