Political tensions flared in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State as the SPLM-IO accused defectors, led by Minister Garang Atak Chan, of taking party T-shirts to the SPLM during their transition.
The controversy has sparked heated debates over party loyalty and property rights.
James Mador Wol, a lawmaker in the Council of States representing SPLM-IO, criticized Garang Atak Chan for allegedly resigning from SPLM-IO and taking party T-shirts meant for launching the Aweil South County Headquarters office.
“Our committee will consult with SPLM leadership where he ran into for a better understanding. Joining another party isn’t a crime, but taking party property is,” Wol argued.
On Thursday, Garang Atak Chan, along with other SPLM-IO members, officially joined SPLM during a reception ceremony at the SPLM secretariat in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
The event raised eyebrows as dozens of SPLM-IO T-shirts and caps were reportedly spotted on the table.
This prompted SPLM-IO members to fault Minister Atak, who had been serving as the SPLM-IO focal point at Aweil South County.
However, Dut Nyibek, the office manager for Minister Atak, dismissed the accusations as baseless.
“I urge the public to disregard Mador Wol’s statement as a false accusation against Hon. Garang Chan Atak,” Nyibek declared.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between SPLM-IO and SPLM as political alignments shift in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
