The Governor of Warrap State, Gen. Aleu Ayieny Aleu, over the weekend fired the Kuajok town Mayor and his deputy and swapped state minister of education with the minister of parliamentary affairs.
The gubernatorial decree that was read Saturday on the state-owned Kuajok 99.0 FM saw Ater Kuei redeployed from the state education ministry to the ministry of parliamentary affairs and the former parliamentary affairs minister, Kuot Deng Kuot, given the education docket.
Another decree on Sunday relieved Gabriel Madut Ayok as Kuajok town mayor and appointed Ayok Chol Ayok in his place. The same decree dismissed Joseph Madut who was the Kuajok town deputy mayor for administration and appointed Deng Bak Noon in his place.
Asked about his dismissal, former Mayor Madut said it was normal procedure although his detractors were excited by it.
“I am okay because I know that in any system there are always changes which are part of progress and I considered it as a normal change in the government even though others talked ill statement to me,” Madut said. “I cannot mention those who are against me because it is still a rumor and hearsay plus rumors are not part of my responsibility and personality.”
He added, “Though there is disruption, I welcome the decision taken by General Aleu Ayieny, the governor of Warrap State. What I did not complete is the strategic plan for 2021-2023 but it will be taken from where I stopped by the new mayor because it is already planned and is on the table.”
Meanwhile, Riing Deng Ading, the Warrap State information minister and spokesperson, said nothing triggered the sacking of the former mayor and his deputy but that the governor is constitutionally mandated to make changes and appointments.
“The town mayor and his deputy were relieved on Sunday and these are just normal changes as governor is the head of state,” Minister Deng explained. “He can relieve and appoint people as a normal routine. The governor has a right to make changes in the municipality. There were no changes in the counties only that there was the swap of two ministers, the one from parliamentary affairs was taken to ministry of education and vice-versa.”