OPP reshuffle leadership in Eastern Equatoria ahead of of elections

JUBA – The chairperson of the Other Political Parties (OPP) in Eastern Equatoria state, Moi Isaac Lokwabei, has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of leadership positions within the party, gearing up for the forthcoming December elections.

Lokwabei has issued executive orders delineating the appointments, as obtained by Sudans Post.

“I, Hon. Moi Isaach Lokwabei, as chairperson of the Other Political Parties (OPP) in Eastern Equatoria State, do hereby appoint the following to serve in the State and Counties secretariats,” the orders stated.

According to the directives, Betty Hope Awor assumes the role of state deputy chairperson, Otulio Assis Okeleki as state secretary-general, Suzan Achiro Awata as director for admin and finance, Adrew Albino Loliamamoi as director for information, and Hoseph Virjilo as director for planning and logistic support.

Further appointments include Pious Lokoro Marthias as director for political affairs and mobilization, Akii Hellen Longorimoi as director for youth affairs, Regina Nakai Faustino as director for women and gender, Aban Oliver as director for external affairs, and Pasquale Anthoney Ola as director for safety and welfare.

At the county level, William Lokonyen Akileo has been named head of Budi County, Jacob Atari as head of the group for Torit County, John Lonyia Mathew for Ikwoto County, and Lokore Nelson for Magwi County.

Addressing the press, Lokwabei acknowledged the timing challenges in restructuring the OPP leadership.

“This order came late due to various loopholes in the formation of the government,” he said.

Lokwabei clarified that the OPP aims to fulfill its commitments to all Eastern Equatoria counties, prioritizing vulnerable populations.

“We are trying to allocate resources to address the needs of the entire county population without discrimination against vulnerable groups,” Lokwabei added.

The delay, Lokwabei explained, stemmed from the complexities of government formation.

“Surely this is the first of its kind. Since the inception, we just put some acting [leaders] because the formation was in various stages… We put some people but after the whole formation, we did not sit down and restructure the leadership,” he said.

“This is a preventive measure… because why it took time is because we had to look into the representations of the counties and also consider other minority groups like youth and disabled. That is why it has taken time. So, from that acting body, we now started to reconstitute this body fully,” Lokwabei elaborated.

He underscored that completing the restructuring at the state and county levels will bolster the OPP’s preparedness for the upcoming national elections in December.