By Deng Ghai Deng
The recently suspended county commissioner of Maban County, Peter Alberto, has defected from the SPLM-IO to the ruling SPLM party.
Alberto dismissed the serious allegations of misconduct against him as politically motivated, asserting his desire to “return to the mother party.”
In an interview with No.1 Citizen Newspaper, Alberto stated, “It’s now up to the SPLM-IO to decide whether to relinquish me from the county commissioner position.”
Alberto’s defection comes shortly after his suspension by Upper Nile State Governor James Odhok Oyay, which was prompted by undisclosed reasons.
A National Security report dated September 17, 2024, revealed allegations of misappropriation of county resources against Alberto.
These included claims of selling four public vehicles and mismanaging 3% of the county’s oil revenue over an eight-month period.
Despite the severity of these accusations, Alberto vehemently denied any wrongdoing, labelling the claims a “conspiracy” orchestrated by the governor.
“Where on earth can you get the oil money? The oil has not been operational for nine months due to the war in Sudan. This is null and void,” he asserted.
Alberto’s suspension and subsequent defection follow recent protests in Bunj, where residents demanded his ouster, citing mismanagement and malpractice. The situation remains tense as the SPLM-IO considers the implications of his departure.
The office of First Vice President Riek Machar, also the chairman of the SPLM-IO, criticized Alberto’s decision to leave, emphasizing that he abandoned his responsibilities amid an investigation by the state government.
“The investigation committee is moving forward to thoroughly assess the situation and present their findings to the public. Transparency and accountability are paramount in addressing the issues facing Maban County, and it is our firm belief that justice must prevail,” stated Puoth Baluang, the acting press secretary in the office of Riek Machar.
As the investigation continues, the political landscape in Maban County remains fraught with uncertainty, with both parties navigating the fallout from Alberto’s defection.