Four candidates nominated for next month’s Lango paramount chief election

Lira |On Friday, September 13, 2024, four candidates were formally nominated for the position of Lango Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci). 

The exercise comes after the current Lango Paramount Chief, Yosam Odur Ebii, announced that he will hand over the office to a successor on November 2, 2024.

Col. Dan Opito Odwee, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, briefed the media following the nominations, revealing that four people had expressed interest in succeeding Yosam Odur Ebii as Won Nyaci.

Opito also announced that a second nomination session for any additional candidates interested in this position will be held on September 14, 2024.

Col. Opito told the public that once the nomination process is completed, campaigning will begin immediately, with the election scheduled for October 11, 2024.

During the first day of nominations at Palm Garden in Lira City, the first four candidates confirmed their commitments and had their documents verified by the Electoral Commission team.

They all met the nomination requirements. The Chairperson noted that the first day of the exercise went smoothly.

The Electoral Commission nominated Dr. Dan Okello, the Guna clan’s head. The first candidate to be nominated at 2:29 p.m. was a former Makerere University lecturer.

Following his nomination, Dr. Okello expressed his commitment to bringing the Lango community together, stating that Lango has faced significant challenges over the years.

“If elected as Lango Paramount Chief, I promise to combat poverty.

Benjamin Okii, the clan leader of Okii Bura, was also nominated at 3:00 p.m. He stated that as an elder at the age of 68, he has long been a respected leader.

Another candidate is Professor Dr. Richard Nam, the former Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Foundation. He is the clan leader of Okii Amat.

He stated, “I will utilise the skills imparted to me by the outgoing Lango Paramount Chief, Yosam Odur Ebii, particularly in addressing health issues.

“My priority will be to tackle health concerns to ensure we do not lose any more lives in our community.” He was nominated at 3 pm.

Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul, leader of the Pala Ocol clan, was also nominated. “I am the youngest of the three candidates, and I am confident that I will win the election.”

There will most likely be two Won Nyacis as a result of an unforgivable misunderstanding between those loyal to the Lango Cultural Institution leader and Yosam Odur Ebii.