A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Tolu Bankole, on Monday, called on the United States to channel its energy toward freezing the assets of terror financiers and corrupt Nigerians hiding illicit wealth abroad, instead of threatening military intervention in the country.
Bankole, the party’s National Leader for Persons with Disabilities, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja titled “Warning Against Beating the Drums of War: Nigeria Needs Peace, Not War.”
His statement came in response to remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who over the weekend threatened that his administration “may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists.”
Trump’s comments followed the US government’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged religious persecution.
The warning has sparked global debate, with some Christian groups hailing the pronouncement while others — including rights activist Omoyele Sowore — described it as reckless and capable of destabilising Nigeria further.
Bankole cautioned that external hostility toward Nigeria was misplaced and dangerous, urging instead for global collaboration to address the root causes of insecurity.
“Nigeria needs peace, not war. We cannot afford another conflict. War is never the solution to our challenges; it only deepens pain, poverty, and division,” he said.
“What our nation requires now is support to strengthen democracy, boost the economy, and sustain the gains of the ongoing reforms.”
The APC chieftain called on Washington to clamp down on Nigerians who fund terrorism and corruption by hiding looted wealth in foreign banks.
“Such proceeds of corruption and banditry should be frozen and promptly returned to Nigeria’s treasury for developmental projects,” he said.
“Those involved in looting the nation’s resources must be prosecuted according to the law. Allowing them to live comfortably abroad while keeping stolen funds and at the same time plotting to destabilise Nigeria is a double standard and not welcome.”
He implored the international community, particularly the United States, to show genuine friendship by partnering with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to strengthen democratic institutions, promote transparency, and create inclusive economic opportunities.
“True friends of Nigeria should work with the government in advancing policies that foster stability, transparency, and inclusive growth,” Bankole noted.
Bankole further urged the US and other Western allies to engage Nigeria through constructive partnerships in technology transfer, infrastructure development, agriculture, and intelligence sharing to combat terrorism and banditry.
“This is the kind of support that strengthens nations and builds sustainable peace,” he stated. “Nigeria needs collaboration, not condemnation.”
He also appealed to Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines to shun divisive narratives and remain united in the pursuit of national peace and development.
The APC chieftain warned that any conflict, whether incited internally or externally, would only reverse Nigeria’s progress and inflict untold suffering on its citizens.
