Deputy Speaker Kalu has demanded for Nigeria’s Permanent Seat on the UN Security Council, calls for inclusive multilateralism
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has called on the United Nations (UN) to grant Africa, particularly Nigeria, a permanent seat on the security council.
Kalu made the call while representing Nigeria at the Heads of Parliaments meeting on Tuesday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA.
The meeting, which served as a preparatory event for the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, highlighted the imbalance in global decision-making structures.
Kalu stressed that the current multilateral framework is dominated by the global north, leaving developing countries with limited representation and resources to address their unique challenges.
“Multilateralism must be redefined to accommodate the pressing issues of the global south. My people in Nigeria have a saying: you cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. Developing countries need more seats at the table where global decisions are made,” Kalu stated.
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According to reports, multilateralism refers to the practice of multiple countries working together to address common challenges, promote shared interests, and establish common standards.
He argued that multilateralism should prioritize inclusivity and cooperation, noting that without these principles, it risks remaining a theoretical concept.
Kalu emphasized the need for an amendment to Article 108 of the UN Charter to allow for Africa’s representation on the security council.
The deputy speaker used the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an example of the misalignment between global aspirations and the realities of developing nations.
He pointed out that while the SDGs aim to address global issues, they fail to account for the economic and industrialization challenges faced by countries like Nigeria.
“We have five years to go to attain the SDGs, but a critical look reveals that many developing countries are still struggling to overcome industrialization hurdles. Expecting them to meet these aspirational targets without addressing their foundational challenges is unrealistic,” Kalu explained.
Kalu also reiterated that Africa’s growing debt burden and economic challenges hinder its ability to achieve the same level of progress as other regions.
He called for a more tailored approach to global policies to ensure they address the specific needs of each region.
“The practice of equality in multilateralism is missing,” Kalu noted. “Africa’s exclusion from a permanent seat on the UN Security Council undermines the principles of fairness and inclusivity that multilateralism is meant to uphold.”
Kalu expressed gratitude to the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Rt. Hon. Tulia Ackson, Secretary-General, Martin Chungong, and other global parliamentary leaders for facilitating the meeting.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advocating for a more equitable global governance structure that ensures the voices of developing nations are heard and respected.
