13 YEARS LATER; MA’DI SUB REGION CLAN CHIEFS ELECT NEW LOPIRIGO.

By Bazio Doreen.

21 clan chiefs from Ma’di Sub Region particularly Moyo (08 chiefs) and Adjumani (11 chiefs) districts met at Moyo District Head Quarters on Friday 23rd August and elected His Royal Highness, Opi Suru Simon Baru, as the new Lopirigo of Ma’di Cultural Institution (O’pi Ma’di dri i). The new Lopirigo will serve for 7 years before another election takes place. According to the institution's constitution, the leadership shall be rotational among the 3 districts.

However, clan chiefs from Obongi District opted out of the race at the last minute citing that their sub-clans of Reli, Aliba, and Gimara were being recognized as clans. Yet, they are among the gazetted tribes in the country and thus want to have a separate chiefdom/kingdom that they pay allegiance to.

The election also occurred amidst conflicts between chiefs of several clans on who was blessed by the relevant lower local government councils; with some opting for court intervention. These have been urged to amicably solve their differences within the clans or with the respective authorities that approved their leadership.

The revival of the Ma’di Cultural Institution was done under the stewardship of the Ma’di Cultural Development Forum (MACDEF), District Community Development Officers, and the three District Councils. The Electoral process was spearheaded by: Mr. Adibaku Seraphine (Chairperson), Mr. Kibrai Moses (Vice Chairperson), Ms. Betty Drami (Member), Sheik Baiga Ramathan (Member), and Mr. Ekudra Johnson (Member).

Opi Drani Stephen Izakare, Palanyua Clan Chief has been acting as the Lopirigo since 2011. The approved clan chiefs of Adjumani are: Opi Dulu Ereminio Karakabu II (Odrunipi – Ciforo S/C); Opi Akuti Moses Chokiri (Adropi – Adropi S/C); Opi Abuni Johnson Kibrai (Oyuwi – Ukusijioni S/C); Opi Rex Williams Angarasi (Pagirinya – Dzaipi S/C); Opi Kinya Henry Gunson (Dzaipi – Dzaipi S/C); Opi Beka Zachary   (Palaro -Pakele T/C and Pakele S/C); Opi Chandiga Ben Oloya (Alli- Ofua S/C); Opi Suru Simon Baru (Pakile – Ofua S/C); Opi Madile John Mawa (Lowi – Ofua S/C); Opi Eruaga Molson Celestine (Arinyapi – Arinyapi S/C); Opi Drani Stephen Izakare (Palenyua - Pakele Town Council); Opi Mawa Stephen Drasa (Pachara – Pachara S/C); and Opi Inyani Tolu Emmanuel (Lajopi - Adjumani Town Council).

END.