July 8, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – Members of the Apadang community have said this afternoon that they have endorsed General Johnson Olony Thambo for the governorship of Upper Nile state.
The latest development comes two weeks after a section of the community said they reject the appointment of the opposition general in the top state position saying he was not ready to achieve peace in the oil-rich country.
Just before Kiir appointed eight state governors last week, the First Vice President and chairman of the SPLM-IO, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, nominated General Olony, but was surprised why he was not later on appointed.
In a statement following their meeting with Machar, Elijah Awuol, who spoke on behalf of the community members said they “registered our unwavering support to Johnson Olony, or any other nominee to become the Governor in Upper Nile State.”
They emphasized their readiness to “work with Johnson Olony, if he becomes the Governor as decided by the leadership of the SPLM-IO.”
According to a statement by Machar’s office, the community leaders separately discussed with the First Vice President “a number of other issues including their would-be participation in the State government as well as at other levels and institutions of Government.”
