An International Relations analyst, Dr Dapo Thomas, has called for the removal of Russia from the United Nations Security Council for violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine by its invasion on February 24, 2022.
Thomas was one of the analysts at an event organised by the Department of History and International Studies, Lagos State University, themed, ‘Unpacking the Ukraine Conundrum: Analysis of the Russian-Ukrainian War,’ on Tuesday.
Delivering his presentation, titled, ‘Russo-Krainian War: The Wasteland Agenda of an angry Emperor,’ Thomas suggested that India should replace Russia at UNSC.
He said, “If the objective of the United Nations Security Council is to maintain or to ensure global security and peace, Russia’s action/ attack on Ukraine has signposted the failure of that objective.
“So, on what moral or political plank is Russia being retained as a Permanent Member of the UNSC? I propose Russia’s removal from the UNSC having lost the moral and professional authority to be a disciplined nation. In its place, I will suggest India for these reasons: It is the largest democracy in the world. It has a very stable polity that has NEVER been disrupted since 1947. It is also a major power with very disciplined and liberal foreign policy.”
However, Thomas called for the scrapping of the UNSC while advocating for the United Nations General Assembly.
“Scrap UNSC, maintain only the UN General Assembly. Cancel the Veto power and adopt majority vote system or the concept of “Status Parity”.
“To avoid or prevent “Wasteland Mission”, intervention by other states not involved in a war should be activated 2nd or 3rd day of attack irrespective of the status of the states involved.
“Punitive actions like denuclearisation demilitarisation heavy fines should be imposed on any aggressor nation,” he said.
Thomas stated that the point of preventing other nations from possessing nuclear weapons has been defeated by the nuclear alert issued by President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
He said, “I am advocating for zero-nuclear weapon system. And if this is not acceptable to the major powers, then let every state protect its country according to the “available capability “. Putin raising his nuclear forces to high alert is a clear demonstration that madness is not restricted to Iran, Syria and any other perceived belligerent state.
“What is the purpose of allowing some states to possess nuclear weapons and denying others from doing same?
“Proliferation may be dangerous but there is need for fresh justification for preventing the non-nuclear states from having their own nuclear weapons. The old excuse of not wanting some madmen in Asia or Europe to be in possession of deadly and destructive weapons like nuclear weapons is no longer tenable. Today, some madmen also wear suits not only jalamia.”
Thomas, who spoke to our correspondent after the event, said Nigeria will be affected economically by the war going on in Ukraine.
According to him, the war will lead to energy crisis which he said is already happening, adding that Nigeria will be affected by the multiplier effect because it imports oil.
This is as he lamented the inflation across the country caused by filling stations increasing pump price above the approved price.
He said Nigeria would have been benefiting from the energy crisis which has seen oil price rise above $100 per barrel, if not for the subsidy issue in the country.
Other speakers at the event include Prof. Abolade Adeniji (LASU), Dr Oluwatoki Jamiu (LASU), Dr Segun Bolarinwa (Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA), Dr Friday Aworawo (University of Lagos), Dr Olawale Lawal (LASU), Dr Abdul-Wasi Babatunde Moshood (LASU).
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