Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore has removed the heads of the SPLM party in Kapoeta South and East Counties.
The announcement was made through a decree read on the Voice of Eastern Equatoria State radio 97.5 FM over the weekend and verified by Radio Tamazuj.
Governor Lobong relieved Martine Lopir Lotubae from his position as the SPLM party chairman in Kapoeta South County, replacing him with Abbass Lomuwa Lorot. Similarly, Thomas Koteen Piya, the chairperson of the SPLM party in Kapoeta East County, was dismissed and replaced with Emmanuel Lotuk Lodwar.
“In accordance with article 39(d) read together with article 39(e) and 39(i) of the SPLM constitution 2008 as amended, I, Louis Lobong Lojore, Chairperson of the SPLM party Eastern Equatoria State, do hereby issue this order for the relief of SPLM chairpersons in Kapoeta South and Kapoeta East counties as follows: Martin Lopir Lotubae, Kapoeta South, and Cde Emmanuel Lotuk Lodwar of Kapoeta East. Issued under my hand and seal of SPLM Chairperson Eastern Equatoria State on this 28th of the month of July in the year 2023 AD,” reads Governor Lobong’s decree.
However, the Governor did not disclose the specific reasons for the removal of the party officials in the two counties.
Martin Lopir Lotubae, the outgoing chairperson for SPLM in Kapoeta South County, responded positively to the removal, stating that such transitions are a normal routine within the party administration. He expressed his readiness to continue collaborating with the new party leadership to ensure the fulfilment of SPLM’s vision and mission at the grassroots level.
“We welcome the news of our relief from our position. This is normal, and these are common occurrences where one is moved from one place to another to deliver services for the party. I welcome the decision taken by Governor Louis Lobong Lojore for the wise choice to remove me. I will handover to the new head of the party in Kapoeta South County, and we will work together as one party. The new party chairperson in the county should support both the new and old secretariat, and I, too, will cooperate with the new person,” Lotubae expressed.