Lango chief fires prime minister

Many clan heads have for long expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which the prime minister was handling the issues of Lango Cultural Institution.

Lango Paramount Chief Yocam Odur Ebii has bowed to pressure from clan heads and fired his prime minister, Col. (rtd) Tony Otoa, and his personal secretary, Mr Joel Odongo Amen.

Many clan heads had expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the prime minister and his personal secretary were handling the issues of Lango Cultural Institution. Col. Otoa is accused of being arrogant and militaristic while Mr Odongo Amen is accused of being dishonest.

Mr Odur took the decision during an emergency council meeting of clan heads held on Tuesday. He said it was not him firing the prime minister but his council. “It’s not me firing Otoa, but you. Give me at least one week to look for someone who is willing to do voluntary work for the institution,” he said.

Col. Otoa, who was present, agreed to step down, saying he wants peace to prevail in Lango sub-region. Clan heads have for long opposed the leadership of Mr Odur, who they believe has been backed by the prime minister.

On April 22, a group of clan heads led by the speaker, Mr Okello Wakili, adapted a draft constitution and threatened to fire the paramount chief, saying he lacks the requirements as stipulated in the new constitution. Mr Odur tried to block the meeting using police but in vain.

Some of the requirements in the new constitution is that the cultural head should be between 65 and 80 years and with a diploma as the minimum academic qualification, all which Mr Odur does not have.

The faction led by Mr Wakili has set May 10 as the day they will hold a meeting to finalise ways of throwing out Mr Odur and getting a new leader.

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