MP Anywar Ricky Richard of Agago West County has disowned the new leadership of Five members from the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG), describing them as illegally installed in office. Ricky, the vice-chairperson of Acholi Parliamentary Group and serving MP for Agago West Constituency, has completely disavowed, in the strongest terms possible, the new Acholi Parliamentary group leadership as illegally installed.
He stated that the illegal election conducted by only five members of APG did not represent the 30 members of APG and three ex-officio members of the group. In a letter dated February 15th, 2024, and signed by Hon. Anywar Ricky Richard, the vice-chairman of Acholi Parliamentary group, he noted that five members illegally appointed themselves into the leadership of the Acholi Parliamentary group.
Anywar emphasized that APG comprises 30 members and three ex-officio members, therefore, only five members cannot appoint themselves to office. He added that there would be a formal election of Acholi Parliamentary group leadership on February 22nd, 2024, at 10:00 AM in Parliament, based on the correct procedures and processes.
When contacted, the former leader of the opposition in parliament, now serving as Gulu City Woman MP, Hon. Betty Aol Ocan, stated that they no longer need any election because the new chairperson of APG, now known to them, is MP Okot John Amos of Agago North County, not the old team headed by Akol Anthony and the likes of Ricky Anywar, whose term has already expired.
She refuted the press release issued by MP of Agago West County, Hon. Ricky Anywar, saying it is false, adding that Anywar belongs to the old leadership of Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG).
MP representing the people of Pece Laroo Division, Fr. Charles Onen, termed this election as a mockery because Hon. Betty Aol Ocan is unwell and cannot actively work for APG at the moment. He added that MP Okot John Amos is incompetent and a non-performer, stating that the election was conducted without Akol Anthony, who is currently abroad.
According to Hon. MP Fr. Onen, the newly appointed leaders of APG are: Hon. Okot John Amos of Agago North County as chairperson, Hon. Betty Aol Ocan as vice-chairperson, Olanya Gilbert of Kilak South, Santa Okot of Aruu North County, and Okin PP Ojara of Chua West County.
Efforts to reach Aruu North MP Hon. Santa Okot were unsuccessful as she is currently out of the country and expected to return next week. MP Okin P.P Ojara did not answer our repeated phone calls by press time.