Justice Osai Ahiakwo, a legal expert and public analyst, has advised that Nigeria’s bid for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat should be delayed due to pressing sociopolitical issues at home.
Despite being Africa’s most populous nation and a key player in UN and AU peacekeeping missions, Nigeria’s domestic challenges need attention.
In a statement issued in Calabar, Cross River State, Ahiakwo emphasized that Nigeria’s internal issues should be prioritized before pursuing a permanent Security Council seat.
He noted that Nigeria’s active participation in global peacekeeping efforts is commendable, but its domestic governance, economic, and military capabilities require improvement.
Ahiakwo’s stance underscores the need for Nigeria to address its internal challenges to strengthen its candidacy for a permanent Security Council seat. This would enable the country to effectively contribute to global decision-making and solidify its position as a leader in African and international affairs.
He said, “Nigeria has contributed significantly to the UN’s activities, yet such doesn’t guarantee a permanent seat.
“The request may be desirable but certainly not at this moment of Nigeria’s history where she is confronted with diverse records of criminal occurrences ranging from terrorism, banditry, militia, and social unrest, threatening its territorial integrity and making it vulnerable to attacks.
“We are in a long-term battle with all sorts of internal challenges, setting the nation backwards with the rising crime rate and incredible economic hardship.”
The lawyer reasoned that for the country to be enlisted into the Security Council, it must, to the admiration of the other member nations, show strong stable economic growth, display overwhelming strength in military prowess, be independent and democratically mature to be a reliable voice amongst the comity of nations.
According to the analyst, Nigeria is yet to evidently prove to have earned.
Sadly, Ahiakwo posited that in the next two decades, the situation may not abate to qualify Nigeria for the Security Council.
He maintained that Nigeria can not effectively play the role required in such a position.
“Nigeria does not also have the necessary financial muscles to drive the process of policing the world.”
He explained that “A member of the Security Council is usually a dependable ally whose support for a common goal and purpose is seen and measured in proportionate financial contributions and gains derivable from the investment in other ancillary matters.
Ahiakwo advised that the current government should ensure the betterment of its citizenry and consolidate the efforts of taking the lead on regional and continental affairs before thinking of aspiring for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
