Eastern Equatoria caretaker governor Louis Lobong Lojore has warned aspirants seeking political positions under the ruling SPLM against premature campaigning, tribal incitement and the use of heavily armed bodyguards during the party’s internal selection process.
Lobong also dismissed speculation about his participation in the forthcoming elections, saying he was not collecting a nomination form at this stage.
Speaking at the SPLM state secretariat in Torit on Tuesday, shortly after arriving from Juba, Lobong urged party members to respect the nomination process and support those seeking to contest for political positions.
“I want to tell you that I am not picking any form. Those who pick forms should go ahead, and we shall help them. If my time comes, I will come and tell you all. But for now, let us support those who have come to fill the forms,” he said.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the SPLM, saying he had remained a member since joining politics and had never defected to another political party.
Lobong said the ongoing exercise is an internal party process intended for lobbying among SPLM members, not public campaigning. He criticised aspirants who are already holding community meetings and presenting themselves as prospective governors and members of parliament before the primaries had been concluded.
“This is internal democracy within the SPLM party. It is not campaigning; it is time for lobbying. You lobby members of the SPLM, but I am seeing our comrades starting to campaign and meeting communities, yet not all communities are SPLM members,” he said.
He also questioned the presence of heavily armed bodyguards accompanying some aspirants, warning against unnecessary displays of security during the party process.
Lobong said victory in the SPLM primaries would not automatically guarantee final nomination, adding that candidates’ names would be submitted to the party’s national commission for consideration. He also warned that criminal records could affect candidates’ eligibility.
The governor cautioned aspirants against using tribal divisions, hate speech and inflammatory statements to mobilise support.
“We don’t want people to create hatred among tribes while lobbying. Do not incite people. We want the people of Eastern Equatoria State to remain in peace. Talk about yourselves, not about other people,” he said.
He directed county commissioners to discourage unauthorised community campaign meetings until the official campaign period is announced.
SPLM committee oversees preparations
Separately, SPLM state secretary for political mobilisation Ephone Emmanuel Lolimo said a high-level party committee led by Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth had arrived in Eastern Equatoria to oversee preparations for the party’s primary elections.
Lolimo said the committee’s visit is part of the party’s internal democratic process and urged members at county level to participate and choose leaders they believed could serve the party and the wider population.
He warned against repeating what he described as mistakes made during the 2010 political process, when some people later expressed regret over their choice of leaders.
“We don’t want the mistake of 2010, when people say we regret why we chose the wrong people. People at the county level must be ready to choose the leaders they want to serve the people, the party and the nation,” he said.
He urged party members to make responsible choices, saying the primaries should produce leaders capable of serving their communities and strengthening the party.
The committee’s arrival comes as lobbying and political consultations intensify within the SPLM in Eastern Equatoria ahead of the forthcoming elections.
and then