The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) Tuesday dismissed rumours about the defection of its Governor of Fashoda State, General Johnson Olony.

"The SPLM-IO would like to refute the malicious propaganda intended to create division in our movement,” said Puok Both Baluang, the SPLM-IO's director for information.

Meanwhile, the opposition appointed minister of information in Fashoda state, Morris Samuel has denied reports that their Governor Johnson Olony had defected from the movement.

Morris said the report was a lie, adding that the Agwelek division remains loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by opposition leader Riek Machar.

The armed opposition group in Upper Nile State known as Agwelek, which is a division of SPLA-IO in the state, is also led by Governor Johnson Olony.