By Bida Elly David
President Salva Kiir’s endorsement rally in Upper Nile region is gathering pace as the steering committee is actively engaging all stakeholders to ensure its success.
This week the chairperson of the committee, who is the governor of Unity State Joseph Manytuil met with the Vice President for Infrastructure, Taban Deng Gai to strategize on the event.
“The Greater Upper Nile Region High-Level Committee under the leadership of Joseph Manytuil Wejang who also doubles as Governor and SPLM Chairperson of Unity State met to discuss matters related to endorsement rally Salva Kiir Mayardit as Flag bearer and Presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections,” partly read a statement on the governor’s Facebook Page.
The committee in their plan noted that a comprehensive SPLM rally will be held in the State’s capital Malakal within the secretariat.
“The High-Level Committee put much emphasis on the preparation of the people of Upper Nile Region to receive President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the first week of December 2023 in Malakal town,” it stated.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) last year ticketed President Salva Kiir as the flagbearer in the 2024 elections during a colorful National Liberation Council (NLC) restructure of the ruling party.
The NLC made the decision after agreeing with the Political Bureau on President Kiir’s candidacy in the anticipated poll.
In his acceptance speech during the meeting yesterday, Kiir appreciated the NLC and promised to return the favour by serving the party diligently.
“I am humbled and honored by your decision to nominate me for these two important tasks: to be the sole candidate in the coming convention and [also] become the flag bearer for the SPLM party in the general election. “Thank you very much,” Kiir said.
“I hope I will not fail you and I have never failed you before. I believe that we will fight together,” he added.
It was during this last meeting that the NLC restructured the ruling party with President Kiir at the helm as its chairperson.
The NLC further endorsed Kiir’s nomination of Dr James Wani Igga as the first deputy chairperson, Daniel Awet Akot as the second deputy chairperson, and Kuol Manyang Juk as the third deputy chairperson.
The Greater Bahr el Ghazal Region has already endorsed Kiir as the Party’s flag-bearer for the 2024 elections.
Now it is time for the Upper Nile SPLM family to paint the carpet red for the endorsement of their chairperson for the presidency.