Rivers State Government has dissolved the State Executive and Area Council Executives of Nigerian Legion in the 23 local Government Areas of the State with effect from May 2, 2013 in order to commence registration and accreditation of legionnaires for elections in May and June, 2013 respectively.
According to section 5, subsection 2 of the Act establishing the Nigerian Legion, the existing Executives at the State and Area Councils are to remain in Office until the results of the elections are declared to ensure proper handling over exercise.
Addressing the State and Area Council Executives of the Nigerian Legion in his Office shortly after the dissolution of the legion executive, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii said the directives were from the ministry of Defence.
“We received a letter from the Ministry of Defence, addressed to Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, directing the dissolution of the State and Area Council Executives, and the commencement of registration and accreditation of Legionnaires for the next election.
You are all aware that the State Legion is under the supervision of the Secretary to the State Government, and it is upon that strength that we have decided to comply with the letter from the Ministry of Defence.
The letter also contained the approved time table for the elections”, George Feyii said.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Mr. Sovens Okari, George Feyii advised Legionnaires in the State to keep to peace as Government is determined to follow the rules and guidelines of the elections to ensure a peaceful and successful exercise.
“Rivers State Government is committed to ensuring that those things that will keep legionnaires together are respected and Sustained/Every legionnaire in the State should keep their mind at rest, we will follow the rules and guidelines”, Feyii said.
The Secretary to the State Government also advised the legionnaires to allow democratic principles to dictate their choice of leaders, urging those who have the will to serve, to participate and make the elections peaceful.
“If you know, you have the ability and capacity to serve the legion in this State, I will encourage you to present yourself so that at the end of the day, the legion will not only go forward but will achieve much more for every member, including widows and children of the gallant soldiers”, Feyii said.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii has also appointed an Election Planning Committee and a 3-Man Screening Committee for the conduct of the elections.
Those appointed to serve in the Election planning Committee are; the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Mr. Sovens Okari as Chairman, Director, Security Matters, Sir Joe Akpa as Deputy Chairman, Assistant Director in the Office of the SSG, Mr. Ben Edoo as Secretary while Information Officer to SSG, Mr. Chidi Adiele, Legionnaire Ibinabo Boyle and Justice Chichi are members.
Members of the 3-ManScreening Committee are Legionnaire Freeman Harvest as Chairman, Legionnaire Temple Iworima as Secretary and Legionnaire Murray Thompson as member.
Disclosing the guidelines of the approved time table to legionnaires, Director in the Office of the SSG, Sir Joe Akpa said, that from April 10th-May 10th, 2013, compilation of voters register and registration of new ex-servicemen will begin.
Sir Akpa also said, on May 20th, 2013, Area Councils elections will hold, while the State Council elections will hold from 3rd 7th June, 2013.
He stated that between 10th-20th, June, 2013, all election results would be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Sir Akpa further said that the inauguration of the State and Area Councils will be on July 2nd, 2013 while July 25th, 2013 is for the inauguration of the National Council of Legionnaires in Abuja.
