Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana says Nigeria cannot effectively champion regional efforts against coups unless it confronts the root causes of instability at home.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Falana said West Africa’s surge in military takeovers is closely tied to governance failures, and Nigeria must lead by example.
“If we want to have political stability in Nigeria, you must address the crisis of the economy, address poverty, tackle illiteracy, and curb insecurity of lives and property,” he said.
Falana warned that shrinking civic freedoms, increased repression, and hostility toward dissent undermine democracy:
“You must show that the political space will not shrink as it is now… There must be freedom of expression. You cannot be charging people with all manner of offences for expressing their views about the affairs of their country.”
The rights activist criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to open the political space:
“INEC must allow ideological political parties to be registered to challenge the status quo. Right now, INEC is not prepared to open the political space.”
According to him, many citizens are frustrated with current policies, and African leaders often weaken opposition groups through intimidation, detention, or exile.
“If you want to stop coups, you must allow political pluralism in Nigeria. You cannot have a situation where the country is moving towards a one-party state, and you want to export democracy.”
Falana added that credible elections depend on a competitive opposition, noting that ruling parties across Africa often render rivals “impotent.”
Asked if more coups could occur in the region, he responded:
“It won’t be the last… Once you put opposition leaders in jail, send them into exile, or kill them, you cannot have political stability.”
Falana’s comments follow Sunday’s failed coup attempt in Benin Republic, where soldiers led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri seized the state television station and announced President Patrice Talon’s removal.
The uprising was swiftly crushed by Nigerian troops and the ECOWAS standby force, leaving several people dead. Authorities arrested at least 14 suspects, while Tigri remains at large. The plotters reportedly cited grievances over security lapses, promotions within the military, and restrictions tied to the 2026 election.
The African Union, United Nations, European Union, and ECOWAS all condemned the coup attempt.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy additional troops to Benin Republic.
Leave a comment