High praise as Loro and Minakulu residents show respect for Won Nyaci Odur

Oyam I Francis Okidi believes there should only be one cultural leader who can help every Lango, and he supports Won Nyaci Yosam Odur Ebii.

Okidi stated that people should not compete for the coveted cultural office in an aggressive and disrespectful manner. “Even the next time we elect Atekkeno clan heads, we will do so based on qualifications and performance.”

Okidi is the chairman of the Atekkeno clan’s election commission. “I will direct them on what to do so that there is no confusion or division.”

Okidi, a retired police officer, blamed the Lango Parliamentary Group (LPG), led by Kole district woman MP Judith Alyek, for the ongoing cultural conflicts, claiming the Group failed to act as a mediator and bring Lango together.

Ebu Selestino, LC 1 chairman of Bobi Cell, Atek ward in Minakulu town council, spoke about Eng. Odongo Okune and claimed that the late Okune’s son is unpopular in the community. He went on to say that Eng. Odongo and his group violated the law before having him “elected” by the Owitong.

“The judgement was made, but you still hear appeal, appeal,” Ebu told tndNews.

“At the LC level, when you (the chairman) take a case forward or arrest someone for stealing a chicken, they will say you did wrong; they arrest you and leave out the suspect,” he explained the difficulties of leading people at the local level.

Ebu, who also serves as chairman of the chairmen LC1 in Atek ward, called for unity and respect for Odur Ebii, stating that the court was correct to remove Eng. Odongo Okune and Ogwang Okul from their positions as Won Nyaci of Lango.

A town council elder who we can only call “Mary” in Loro accused Gender Minister Betty Amongi of being responsible for the current cultural mess. She praised the High Court of Lira for its October 31 ruling.

She went on to say that Minister Amongi was wrong to degazette Won NyacI Ebii and replace him with Eng. Odongo Okune, which she claimed Justice Philip Odoki faulted the Minister for doing illegally.

In their quest for cultural leadership, Lango Cultural Institution members like Eng. Odongo, Willie Omodo Omodo, George Ojwang Opota, Vincent I. Oling, and others, have petitioned the Court of Appeal to overturn Justice Philip Odoki’s October 31 ruling.