Gogrial State Governor Abraham Gum Makuac says he will not accept the recommendation from the Council of States that each of the 28 proposed states should not have more than eight counties.

“I don’t think this idea is going to work. I have created my counties and that is it – and whoever needs to reduce them should have come and do it but not me,” said Gum.

Under the leadership of Gum Makuac, the two counties of former Gogrial West and East were split into thirteen new counties with their commissioners appointed.

Reportedly, the Council of States wants the governors of the proposed 28 states to consult with them before creating counties.

Gogrial State is one of 28 states created by President Salva Kiir by decree but challenged as unconstitutional by a coalition of opposition parties.

Monitors of the peace agreement have called the creation of the 28 states a “violation” of the peace agreement. Salva Kiir says the 28 states are the demand of the people.