Eastern Equatoria Speaker has defended the appointment of a new commissioner for Torit County saying the move was constitutional.
Ambrose Ocholimoi said the Transitional Constitution allows any eligible citizen to take the position of County Commissioner, Radio Emmanuel reported.The speaker opposed the petition presented by Torit County elders, intellectuals and opinion leaders to Governor Louis Lobong Lojore demanding the removal of Commissioner German Ojyok.
Mr Ocholimoi said the new commissioner was appointed by decree and it can only be revoked after six months.
The speaker explained that there were no fixed rules governing political appointments and it was hard for any government to please everybody.
He added that the appointments should not be controlled from Juba.
Deputy speaker of the Council of States Remy Oler Ð who led the team of petitioners Ð said the integrity of the new commissioner was questioned due to his involvement in ethnic divisions in the county.
The petitioners demanded the return of former Commissioner William Oyet Omoro, saying he was the best county leader since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Mr Omoro was praised for spearheading peace and unity among the people in Torit.