Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, says Nigeria cannot effectively champion democracy in West Africa without first addressing the problems that threaten stability at home.
Speaking on Tuesday, he warned that the same conditions fueling coups in neighbouring countries are also present in Nigeria.
According to Falana, real stability requires confronting poverty, insecurity, and the shrinking civic space.
“If we want political stability in Nigeria, we must address the economic crisis, tackle poverty, curb insecurity, and reduce illiteracy,” he said.
Falana criticised the growing intolerance for dissent, saying that freedom of expression must be respected.
“You cannot keep charging people with all kinds of offences simply because they express their views about the country,” he said.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to broaden political participation.
“INEC must open up the political space. Ideological parties should be allowed to register and challenge the status quo,” he added, noting that many citizens are unhappy with current policies.
Falana argued that democratic leaders across Africa often weaken pluralism by suppressing opposition, a trend he says Nigeria must avoid.
“If Nigeria wants to stop coups, it must first allow true political pluralism. You cannot be moving towards a one-party state and still claim to be exporting democracy,” he said.
Read Also;
ECOWAS Declares Regional State of Emergency as Political Instability Deepens
Asked if more coups are likely, Falana warned that instability will continue on the continent as long as governments repress opposition.
“When you jail opposition leaders, send them into exile, or eliminate them, you cannot have political stability. This won’t be the last coup attempt,” he said.
He also referenced the recent failed coup in the Benin Republic, urging Nigeria to provide genuine leadership in restoring stability to the region.
The unsuccessful takeover, led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, was swiftly crushed by Beninese forces with support from Nigeria and the ECOWAS standby force. Several people were killed, 14 suspects were arrested, and Tigri remains on the run.
The African Union, United Nations, European Union and ECOWAS all condemned the attempt. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Benin.
