Lango Elders Give Eling Clan Two Weeks to Resolve Leadership Dispute

2 May 2025, 5:00 pm

Eman Yonah Oruk

The Office of Lango Cultural Elders has given the Eling clan two weeks to settle leadership disputes between two individuals claiming to be the clan head.

In a meeting held at Lango Cultural Center on April 30, 2025, organized by the Council of Elders, discussions were held to address the leadership dispute between Peter Ojok Gece and Alex Ogwal Angulu, both of whom claim to be the rightful head of the clan.

Leadership struggles in the Eling clan began in 2023 after the four-year term of their previous clan head, Robert Emuna, expired.

The council of Eling convened to discuss the reasons for the delay in holding new elections and to develop a resolution.

Reports indicate that in previous meetings, the council resolved that government civil servants and their children under the age of 60 would not be eligible to contest or be elected as the clan head. As a result, Peter Ojok Gece was deemed ineligible due to his status as a government civil servant within the Eling clan.However, leaders and other members of the Eling clan have expressed dissatisfaction with the Council of Elders’ decision, arguing that it is unlawful.

They seek to elect a new clan head through connections with their former clan head, Robert Emuna. This process led to the election of Alex Ogwal Angulu, creating a situation where the clan has had two competing clan heads since 2023.

Peter Ojok Gece, a government civil servant, stated before the Council of Elders that he was using the authority granted to him by the Council of Elders to facilitate the election of a new clan leader.

However, since no one showed interest in leading the clan, he was appointed without a competitor.

Alex Ogwal Angulu, a government civil servant in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, commented that Peter Ojok Gece and his supporters had declared themselves as the leaders of the clan. In contrast, Angulu coordinated with the office of their former clan head, Robert Emuna, which led to the decision to hold an election.

Alfred Omara Olyel, former clan head of Ogora and a member of the Council of Elders in Lango culture, commented that the leadership struggles began after the expiration of the previous clan head’s term. He emphasized that if the Eling clan fails to resolve the dispute and submit a report on its resolution, the Council of Elders will make a final decision to settle the matter.

Rachird Eton, chairperson of the Lango Council of Elders, stated that during efforts to unite Lango culture, the Eling clan contributed two million shillings.

He urged them to settle the leadership dispute so that the name of their new clan head could be included in the office of the Paramount Chief of Lango.

In conclusion, Eton noted that the Council of Elders has given the two disputing parties in the Eling clan two weeks to resolve the matter. If the issue remains unsettled, the Council of Elders will intervene and make its final decision.