A former Niger Delta militant leader, Ramsey Mukoro, on Monday appealed to the 20 contending political parties, their candidates and former militants to eschew violence in the state governorship election billed for December 5.

Mukoro, a leader of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Solidarity Front, NDESF, who spoke in Yenagoa, lamented the alignment of candidates with various ex-militant groups, citing the situation as a recipe for violence during the polls.

The NDESF leaders urged the ex-militants to avoid fomenting trouble and instilling fear and apprehension in the mind of the electorates by remaining neutral in the electioneering campaign process.

Mukoro further advised the ex-militants to work in the strategic interest of the people by keeping their political preferences private, despite their right to support candidates of their choice.

He noted that staying neutral will ensure a peaceful atmosphere for the elections and ensure that the most popular candidate to emerge through a credible process.