Don’t ask me for financial support for burial ceremony, Nigerian lawmaker tells constituents

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Clément Jimbo representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/ Ika Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State has declared to his constituents that he would no longer give financial support to them in organizing burial ceremonies.

Penpushing reports that the federal lawmaker made the declaration in a post on his Facebook page on Monday, explaining that he took the decision because he did not want to be distracted by the thousands of financial solicitations for burial purposes from them. It is unhealthy and it should be discouraged at every level’

“All financial solicitation for burial is hereby suspended till further notice. Please bear with me. Why I took the decision. I don’t want to be “distracted by the thousands of financial solicitations for burial purposes’, he emphasised

Penpushing further reports that he suggested that people ought not to spend a lot of money to organise burial ceremonies for their loved ones, citing the case of Jesus Christ, whom he said died and was buried without his disciples asking for financial support.

The federal lawmaker from Akwa Ibom State added that resources, instead of being wasted  on burials, should be channelled into developmental projects, but quickly stated that he could support events such as wedding if finances are available

‘If God has blessed you with the resources to do what you want, go ahead, but not when you do not have (the resources). We should learn to cut our cloth according to the piece of cloth we have. But for burial, I don’t know about others, that is no longer a priority on my scale of preference,” he stated.

Penpushing also reports that Jimbo pointed out that, although he had been widely criticised for his decision to stop financial support for burial ceremonies, explained that he was not worried that it could affect his re-election in 2027.

‘I’m not worried at all. Leaders are made to make tough decisions that develop a society that needs a paradigm shift. It may not all go down well with so many, but it is a decision a leader must take’, the lawmaker said.

Penpushing reports that he said he had been offering scholarships to his constituents, upgrading infrastructures, construction of roads, equipping hospitals, and other basic amenities, explaining that such projects were his priorities.

‘These are the things I stand for. These are (my ways of giving) effective representation I equally preach, those are responsible leadership I preached throughout my campaign period’, the federal lawmaker stated.

Penpushing further reports that the frankly speaking Jimbo called for sensitisation of residents of Akwa State who believe that politicians have unfettered access to public money and should distribute the same at will.

‘When you are in government, you don’t sit on money, especially if you are a legislator like me. We don’t award contracts; we simply oversight the executive. We monitor what they do in line with what is approved for them. So we don’t carry bags of money and distribute it to anyone that wants it. Nobody does it’, he stated.

Penpushing also reports that he expressed surprise that he received a barrage of financial solicitations from constituents even when he has only spent about six months in office, noting that expecting so much from lawmakers at this point is counterproductive adding that the expectations should be moderated

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