BY Mayowa Tijani
The Chinese government has expressed its support for Nigeria’s bid to secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
China made its stance known on Monday, when the speaker of the People’s Parliament of China, Zhang Dejiang, met with Yakubu Dogara, the speaker of Nigeria’s green chamber.
Dogara who communicated the development to Nigerians via Turaki Hassan, his media aide, said the two presiding officers met in New York, United States, where he urged China to use its influence as a permanent member of the UNSC to get Nigeria a seat.
“We appreciate China for its effort to democratise the institution of the United Nations and appeal that you support our bid to occupy a permanent seat on the Security Council,” Dogara said.
Dejiang, who responded to Dogara’s request said China is in support of Nigeria’s bid, which she considers legitimate, adding that Nigeria is a leading developing country that should sit on the UNSC.
“We support the legitimate demands of Nigeria for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, together with the reform of the UN,” Dejiang was quoted to have said.
China, the US, Britain, Russia and France are the five permanent members of the UNSC, with Nigeria, Brazil, India, Egypt and South Africa jostling for seats on the council.
Nigeria is currently presiding over the UNSC, valid till the end of Monday, August 31, with the September presidency Russia.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Dino Melaye, the ad-hoc senate spokesperson, were on Nigeria’s delegation to the UN security and safety conference in New York.
This website uses cookies.