Rt. Rev. Phillip Adeyemo, the Bishop of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Omu-Aran, Kwara, has warned politicians against heating up the polity. Adeyemo gave the warning in a sermon he delivered at a church service in Omu-Aran on Sunday.

He said that the country was presently passing through a critical period occasioned by the activities of insurgents, adding that there was the need to avoid any act that could compound the situation.

Adeyemo said the country was also witnessing activities leading to the build-up of another general elections in 2015.

"I want to appeal to Nigerians, especially those in the political class, to watch their utterances and actions so as not to heat up the polity.

"The country presently has had enough difficulties confronting it judging from the activities of Boko Haram insurgents and other security challenges.

"As religious leaders, we would continue to intercede on behalf of those at the helm of affairs and advise accordingly on the policies to bring the desired development in the country," Adeyemi said.

He urged the politicians to close ranks to ensure credible, free and fair elections, stressing the need to put the interest of the country above personal gains.

He said this was necessary as no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere of violence and rancour.

The cleric also advised Nigerian youths, particularly those already involved in politics, to eschew violence.

"The youths nowadays have become the tools to perpetrate evil acts against individuals and the state.

"There is the need for them to be careful of the kind of association they keep," Adeyemo said.