Traditional Rulers Are Part Of Govt, Jimoh Ibrahim Defends N7.61bn Empowerment For Monarchs

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has justified the inclusion of traditional rulers in the 2024 budget, citing their social significance.

The "empowerment of traditional rulers" was to get N7.61 billion from the 2024 budget.

Do traditional rulers not function as part of our government within the federal system and in accordance with our historical trajectory? He queries.

"Are they not included in Nigeria? Do they not bear some of the blame for some security concerns?

The resolution for Ningi's 12-month suspension due to charges of criminal disinformation and disturbance of peace in the National Assembly and the nation at large was originally introduced by Senator Ibrahim.

As the president has called for a more thrifty approach to the economy, Senator Ibrahim responded that the monarchs cannot be ignored because they are essential members of society when questioned about the notion that the state provides for the traditional rulers and that they do not require funding from the national budget.

Additionally, he emphasised that states lack autonomy and must continue to rely on the federal government for support, making a complete separation of powers impossible.
Additionally, you are aware that the federal government assists the states. Within the federal sovereignty, which is a single umbrella of sovereignty that includes everyone, states do not have sovereignty.

7,000 projects included in the 2024 budget, according to the member, were "too small" for the more than 200 million Nigerians.

There Was No Allocation Made to My Constituency
Senator Ibrahim maintained that his constituency did not receive any such allocation in response to remarks made by colleague lawmaker Jarigbe Jarigbe, representing Cross River North, that ranking senators received a total of ₦500 million each.

Nothing at all; we have constituency initiatives, according to people I spoke with locally.

"All I have to do is ensure that the project remains continuous."

"My colleagues and I did not receive such a sum."

Furthermore, he pleaded with Nigerians to ignore these accusations and instead assist the government in advancing the country.

"Where does the approximately 9 trillion Naira we have in capital projects go? It travels through several senatorial districts, he stated.

"All of Nigeria's constituencies are covered by the budget that the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Budget and Planning submitted to us."

"9 trillion divided by 109 senate districts, 3 federal seats, and 776 local governments spread over 36 states equals 500 million.

"Let us lend our support to a government that truly believes in the advancement of the nation," he declared.