Bishop Philip Adeyemo of the Diocese of Omu-Aran Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, commends the administration of President Buhari on its giant strides so far, saying the Church is in total support of its anti-corruption crusade.

The Diocese of Omu-Aran Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has thrown its weight behind the anti-corruption drive of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that corruption is endemic and devilish which has made the majority of Nigerians to live in extreme poverty.

Addressing the Third Session of the Second Synod of the Church at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Omu-Aran, on Saturday 17 October, the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Revd. Philip Adeyemo, who cautioned against any form of victimisation and falsehood in the ongoing fight against corruption, said the Church is on the same page with the President that corruption would kill or destroy Nigeria if it is not holistically tackled as President Buhari is currently doing.

He said: "We support the anti-corruption drive of this administration, we agree with the President that if we don't destroy corruption, it will destroy us in this country. We say Sir carry on but let there be no victimisation and falsehood in carrying out this laudable programme." While urging the President not to be deterred or distracted in his serious battle against this menace, Adeyemo said, in order to avoid any hide and seek game, the President should ensure that all looted money recovered from the looters are published to avoid diversion as it is being speculated in some quarters.

Though capital punishment as being canvassed by some people is good, the clergy, however, stressed the need to temper justice with mercy, saying capital punishment is not expedient for the country. "In my opinion, if any looter releases his/her loot, he/she should be given light punishment and not capital punishment. But whoever fails to release his/her loot, such a person should be punished heavily and when there is repentance, there should be forgiveness," he advised.

On Boko Haram, the Bishop gave kudos to the President for the steps taken so far by his administration to curb the activities of the insurgents in the North East and particularly the administration's decision to review cases of the army officers who were asked to withdraw from the service for alleged offences committed under the counter insurgency operations when it was certain that not enough equipment were provided for them during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Commending the President and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for leading by example in making public their assets, he reckoned that the gesture has left no one in doubt about the duo's commitment to govern transparently and be accountable to Nigerians before, during and after their tenure. He therefore charged other political office holders who have not done so to follow suit and declare their assets publicly in line with this administration's anti-corruption drive.

Adeyemo, who kicked against recent calls by a group of people for a fresh national conference, appealed to the President not to jettison the report of the 2014 national confab, urging that the areas which addressed the grey areas of national development should be implemented. "Nigerians called for the conference and so the administration should please do something positive on it for the progress of the nation," he admonished.

Noting that Ilorin metropolis has undergone a complete transformation resulting in construction of access roads in most parts of the state capital, he charged the state government to extend the gesture to the rural areas in order to enhance adequate food production, transportation and economic well-being of the rural populace.

To the Bishop, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, at the federal, state and local government levels need total overhauling having deviated from the teachings of Christ who charged Christians to be the light and salt of the world. Aside advocating spiritual and theological soundness for would-be leaders, he said that anyone who aspires to lead the CAN at whatever level should be above board and pass the temptations of money.