Traditional rulers in Delta State have appealed to the military and other security agencies not to disenfranchise Delta indigenes by turning the state into a theatre of war under the guise of obeying orders from above.

In a statement released by the Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and Obi of Owa, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor in Asaba, the state capital on Tuesday, the monarchs said the call is coming against the backdrop of plans  by the Federal Government to deploy more  military personnel during Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

He said Delta State had been a peaceful state, adding that the present and previous administrations had done a lot to achieve peace and ethnic harmony which should not be truncated under whatever guise.

While stressing that security agencies on election duty should adhere to the rules of engagement, Efeizomor charged politicians in the state to display maturity and play by the rules as the elections would come and go.

He further enjoined the political class to adopt the spirit of sportsmanship and be magnanimous in victory, charging the youths not to engage in any act capable of causing crisis and political violence before, during and after the elections.