RDC Abdul says there will be no apology to anti-Okune camp

I have no apology to offer; invite me to your home,’ RDC Abdul tells anti-Okune group.

Lira | The RDC of Apac, George Abdul, has openly stated that he has no apology to offer cultural leaders opposed to Eng. Odongo Okune’s camp.

In an exclusive interview with tndNews, Abdul, who is also the dean of RDCs in the Lango subregion, confirmed that RDCs met with Eng. Odongo Okune at his home in Lira City.

While there, Abdul pledged his support and security to the Lango Cultural Institution leader, promising not to allow any group to challenge Odongo’s reign after November 2.

In a separate interview, RDC Abdul categorically declared that they would arrest anyone causing unrest and insecurity in Lango by November 2, provided that Eng. Odongo Okune assumes office.

What he said at Okune’s home did not go over well with clan leaders loyal to Won Nyaci Yosam Odur Ebi.

Dr. Richard Nam, the former Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Foundation, urged RDC Abdul on Tuesday to withdraw his July 20 statement against them.

Dr. Nam, the Okiiamat clan leader, and Benjamin Okii, the Bura clan leader, both accused Abdul of taking sides in the leadership of Lango cultural matters.

Abdul denies this, claiming that he is following President Museveni’s instructions after meeting with clan leaders from both factions at State House in Entebbe.

During that meeting, President Museveni advised the aggrieved party to go to court if they were unable to reconcile.

On July 23, Okii stated that RDC Abdul is pushing for increased insecurity, specifically with regard to issues pertaining to Lango culture.

Okii promised to report Commissioner Abdul to the President’s Office for making a partisan statement. “I am now 68 years old and a Lango elder. I want my young son Abdul to understand that before he was appointed as an RDC, someone else held that position.”

Awitong Okii added that the RDC and his colleagues lack the authority to arrest any clan leader who supports the current Won Nyaci Yosam Odur Ebii.

“We will continue to hold power until the new Won Nyaci is elected. I want him to know that we have not committed any crimes; I have seen RDC George Abdul play with fire by taking the law into his own hands.”

Abdul to be summoned

“We will summon Apac RDC George Abdul in front of Lango Paramount Chief Yosam Odur Ebii to inform Lango of the authority he will use to arrest cultural leaders,” Dr. Nam said.

“As a leader, I want him to understand that I worked in the President’s office and received an award. So, for me, I know the office better than he does, and I have experience,” Dr. Nam told Abdul.

“Do not use your position as an RDC to create more division in the leadership of Lango cultural issues. As a legitimate cultural government, we will write a report and address it directly to President Museveni about how Apac RDC is now excluding people from supporting the NRM due to a conflict of interest. He must be aware that many people want that position.”

In response, Abdul stated that the President was aware of their meeting with Eng. Odongo Okune.

“As security, we want peace in Lango. Yes, I went to Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune’s home with my colleagues; we are supposed to provide security, but the road map is ahead of us.”

Last week in Teboke, Won Nyaci Yosam Odur Ebii witnessed the swearing-in of the electoral commission team in charge of his successor’s election in November.

At the same special LCF council meeting, the speaker and deputy speaker were elected and sworn in, with the exception of Laury Lawrence Ocen (PhD), who was absent.

Dr Nam, Benjamin Okii, and Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul are vying to succeed Won Nyaci Yosam in the November 1 election.

Abdul told tndNews that he and his fellow RDCs will attend any meeting called by the Lango Cultural Foundation and, if invited, will speak and offer advice.

On record

Eng. Odongo Okune was the parallel Won Nyaci for many years, causing a lot of headaches for Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii and his cultural government.

Eng. Odongo formed his cabinet and attended public events in Lango without receiving stern reprimands from security officials.

During his operations, there were no threats from RDCs that he would be arrested or detained for running a parallel cultural institution.