By William Madouk
Acting Secretary General of United Sudan African Party (USAP), has declined to oversee activities until a permanent chairperson is elected.
Joseph Ojukwu’s decision follows a recent ousting of the interim chairperson, Mr. Joseph Malek, by a faction of party members.
On Wednesday, a group of USAP members announced the removal of Mr. Joseph Malek as the party’s interim chairman, John Deng Obany, and the secretary general, Joseph Ojukwu Ikarai, highlighting internal political conflicts.
The group then appointed the ousted secretary general, Mr. Joseph Ojukwu, to facilitate the upcoming extraordinary convention, citing his possession of the party’s official records.
They claim that Mr. Malek declared himself chair without holding a general convention and had promised to conduct one within 30 days; however, no such convention has taken place since he assumed leadership.
The group further accused Mr. Malek of engaging in behaviours that have damaged the party’s reputation and of violating its integrity.
The central executive committee has accused the ousted chair of being racist, exhibiting tribal chauvinism, and demonstrating political intolerance, alongside allegations of corruption and discrimination against party members.
They assert that under Mr. Malek’s leadership, there has been a failure to unite party members amidst ongoing accusations of discrimination and corruption.
Reacting to the matter, Mr. Ojukwu cited that he could assume the responsibilities of chairman in his absence which was not the case since the boss and his deputy were all present in the capital, Juba.
“I will not be happy to see the party destroyed by power-hungry individuals,” said Ojukwu.
“Article 22 (4) of the party’s constitution says the secretary-general “assumes the responsibilities of the chairperson, in absence of the chairperson and deputy chairperson, fortunately, all are present in Juba” he added.
Furthermore, he stated that the Secretary-General is a technical person and choosing him as a chair of the organizing committee for the convention would amount to a conflict of interest.
Mr. Ojukwu claimed that the delay in the conduct of the convention was due to lack of funds.
“While I agree that 7-years has exceeded the four 4-year tenure of office of the chairperson, I disagree with the unconstitutional manner in which the decision is taken,” he said.
“We have already announced in the newspapers of the impending convention of USAP party. The delay is due to lack of finances,” Ojukwu added.
He alleged that ousted chair Mr. Malek has already written political parties council on matter, adding that convention will be held when they secure finances or PPC disburse party’ allocated amount.
“I always maintain that “two wrongs do not make a right” as a founding of USAP party in 1987, I have been and still fighting for the unity of the party,” he added.
Last year, the United Sudan African Party shut down its office in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State after its chairman and other members joined the ruling SPLM party.
A total of 1,634 individuals from the USAP, ANC, and SPLM-IO in Western Bahr El Ghazal State crossed over to the SPLM party.