The former Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Party Chief Whip, also known as the Government Chief Whip, at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Monday got incensed over her removal from the position, saying she was not served with an order or information regarding her removal.
Rebeca Joshua Okwachi who was replaced by James Kueth said she was away when the changes took place last week and was not given official information by Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba upon her return to the effect that she is no longer the SPLM Party Chief Whip.
Although she has already handed over the office to the new chief whip, Okwachi faulted the speaker for making the changes without serving her with an order, since she was appointed through one.
Last week, new chairpersons of the specialized committees and some whips from political parties that are signatories to the 2018 peace agreement were changed while others retained their positions.
James Kueth was appointed to replace Rebecca Joshua as Government Chief Whip.
“So far I have not received any official letter from the parliament that I have been removed from the position of Government Chief Whip,” Okwachi explained her stance and added: “I would prefer that the parliament pass official communication so that I am aware because when I was appointed, there was an order. I did not go to the office without notice, so I expect likewise.”
Responding to the matter, TNLA Second Deputy Speaker Parmino Awerial Aluong who chaired the session defended parliament saying no changes were done without the approval of the chairpersons of the parties.
Aluong then directed the lawmaker to consult with her SPLM Party Secretariat.
“I think the Right Honorable Speaker Jemma Nunu cannot remove you without the chairman’s or party’s concern,” he stated, and advised: “So, I think you could have asked the secretary of the party what you raise to the House.”
“I request you to go to the secretary of the party, and also if you are doubting, you can proceed to the chairman of the party,” Deputy Speaker Aluong added.
Meanwhile, Oliver Mori Benjamin, the new parliamentary spokesperson, while addressing the media after the session, stressed that the parliamentary affairs are run in consultation with the parties to the agreement.
“The running of events in this parliament is based on the heads of the parties. They are the ones who proposed the changes of chief whips, chairpersons, and deputy chairpersons. And it was made clear that the right honorable speaker had consulted the parties to the agreement and they sent to the speaker in writing not verbally as we are taking now,” he said. “In the case of the Government Chief Whip, the speaker was acting upon the document which came from the SPLM Secretariat and that is it. We work with official correspondence.”