TRADITIONAL rulers in Delta State have kicked against the involvement of royal fathers in partisan politics.

Besides, they expressed worries at the increasing cases of robbery attacks, assassinations and other forms of violence across the country with its negative effects on the nation's polity.

In a statement issued at the end of their two-day conference in Asaba, the state capital, the traditional rulers said although they and their colleagues across the country must not get involved in politics, politicians must equally recognise their fatherly roles in the affairs of their domains.

In the statement, the rulers also noted that the increasing cases of threat to security of lives and property arising from armed robbery, communal conflicts, kidnapping, assassinations, and political violence has constituted a danger to the civil populace, foreign nationals and the economy.

"In order to arrest this ugly trend, we recommend more effective police patrol and plain clothes police surveillance groups", they said in the statement signed by the Obi of Owa, Efeizomor as conference chairman and the Ovie of Abraka, Adakaji I as the secretary.

They requested that the riverine areas should be adequately manned by security agencies to contain piracy and other crimes.

Besides, they expressed sympathy with the government over the problems generated by youth restiveness and urged that decisive measures should be taken to curb the scourge.

The royal fathers called on government to create employment opportunities, remedial education, small and medium-scale industries and resuscitate the ailing industries to curb youth restiveness.

They acknowledged the concern of government in involving them in the maintenance of law and order, adding that government should provide the necessary recognition and support to enable them and government functions as a team.

"For law and order to be effectively maintained, the relationship between the traditional rulers and the law enforcement agents should be very cordial, dependable and confidential", the statement added.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives' Committee on Internal Security has rated the South/Eastern part of the country as the most vulnerable to political violence.

The Chairman of the committee, Morris Ibekwe stated this yesterday in Abuja at a press conference after a fact-finding tour of the area.

He noted that apart from Imo, other states in the geo-political zone are prone to political violence characterised by assassinations and thuggery.

Ibekwe said the committee had compiled data on the six geo-political zones with particular emphasis on political violence.

The committee, which report will soon be presented to the House, expressed concern, saying that "if the situation is not checked, it might impact negatively on the next general elections".