Trending 
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tolu Bankole, on Monday urged the United States to focus on freezing the assets of terror financiers and corrupt Nigerians hiding illicit wealth abroad rather than threatening military intervention in the country.
Bankole, who serves as the party’s National Leader for Persons with Disabilities, appealed in a statement issued in Abuja titled “Warning Against Beating the Drums of War: Nigeria Needs Peace, Not War.”
His remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat that his administration “may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out terrorists.”
Trump’s statement came after the U.S. government listed Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution, sparking global reactions.
While some Christian groups welcomed the warning, others — including activist Omoyele Sowore — criticised it as reckless and destabilising.
Bankole condemned any external hostility toward Nigeria, stressing that peace, not war, was the nation’s urgent need.
“Nigeria needs peace, not war. We cannot afford another conflict. War only worsens poverty, pain, and division,” he said. “Our nation requires genuine support to strengthen democracy, grow the economy, and sustain the gains of ongoing reforms.”
He called on Washington to act against Nigerians who launder public funds or sponsor terrorism through offshore accounts, urging that such assets be frozen and repatriated to Nigeria for development.
“Those who loot the nation’s wealth must face justice. Allowing them to enjoy stolen funds abroad while destabilising Nigeria is unacceptable,” he added.
The APC leader appealed to the international community to show true friendship by partnering with President Bola Tinubu’s administration in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting transparency, and fostering inclusive growth.
“True friends of Nigeria should help advance stability and economic opportunity,” Bankole said, calling for cooperation in areas such as technology transfer, infrastructure, agriculture, and intelligence sharing to combat terrorism.
He also urged Nigerians to reject divisive rhetoric and remain united, warning that any conflict—whether instigated within or from abroad—would only derail national progress and inflict needless hardship.
