NIGERIA AND THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT

Abstract

The study evaluated the content and substance of Dr. Kofi Annan’s United Nations Reforms and Nigeria’s chances at securing one of the two Security Council seats allocated to Africa. We noted, inter alia, that the use and abuse of veto by the five permanent members of the Security Council have made the world more uncertain, unsafe and dangerous. We observed that the “big five” have consistently used their control of the veto to commit acts of alienation, suppression and deprivation thereby incensing hostility and irreconcilable antagonism among states. These manifest in the form of extreme aggressive behavior, interpreted by the Western powers, as terrorism. The reform initiated by the UN Secretary-General was aimed at democratizing the Security Council and enhancing global peace and security. In Africa, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt are the major contenders for the two slots. At the end of our investigation, we noted there is growing international conspiracy against Nigeria. However, available indices favour Nigeria’s candidature and calls for greater commitment and sincerity on the part of political leadership.