National, News

Federal Democratic Party rubbishes Gen. Gatkuoth’s claim of ownership

By Philip Buda Ladu

 

Federal Democratic Party (FDP) has vehemently dismissed claims made by former party member Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth that he owns the registered party.

In a press conference held on Sunday at the FDP premises, the party’s Secretary General, Changkuoth Bichiock Reth, accused Gen. Gatkuoth of defaming the legitimate FDP leadership led by Hon. Gabriel Changson Chang.

Gen. Gatkuoth, who was reportedly dismissed from the FDP in 2016 for defecting to the government, has been making allegations that he is the rightful chairman of the party, which is listed by the Political Parties Council (PPC) in the category of unregistered parties.

However, Bichiock asserted that the FDP was reserved for registration in the Political Parties Council under a chairman called Galdong Nyanyek Bkhok and not Gen. Gatkuoth.

Bichiock also highlighted that Gen. Gatkuoth’s claims are baseless given his defections along with his accomplices to multiple political parties, including the SPLM-IO and SPLM in 2016 and 2017, respectively, where he was handed several appointments into government positions.

He questioned how Gatkuoth could claim ownership of the FDP while holding positions in other parties.

The members of the Federal Democratic Party, who said they are the legit owners of the FDP, called upon the PPC to investigate the matter and verify the authenticity of Galdong Nyanyek Bkhok’s identity and relationship with Gen. Gatkuoth.

The political camp, under the leadership of the Minister of Higher Education in the Unity Government, Hon. Gabriel Changson Chang, further emphasized that it is the only legitimate FDP in South Sudan, having launched its party-political activities in both Juba and Malakal, which started on March 18, 2023.

“With this, I want to put this claim of Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth claiming the FDP to an end, as the FDP headed by Hon. Gabriel Changson Chang is the only party recognized by the revitalized agreement and known by the PPC,” Bichiock emphasized.

“We are just awaiting the next steps in the registration process, like other parties to the agreement (SPLM-10, all other SSOA parties, and other parties that are still waiting to complete the registration),” he added.

The proclaimed legitimate FDP’s statement serves as a clear rebuttal to Gen. Gatkuoth’s claims and reinforces its position as the authentic Federal Democratic Party in South Sudan.

Meanwhile, No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper could not immediately reach out to Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth for a comment on the matter and battle for FDP soul.

Comments are closed.