The government has nothing to do with the nomination of Taban Deng Gai as the acting First Vice President by the SPLM in Opposition, the Minister of Information has said.

The SPLM-IO members in Juba nominated Mr Taban to the position over the weekend.

But members who are loyal to Dr Riek Machar say the nomination is illegal because he has already been dismissed from the IO leadership.

However, the government says it has nothing to do with the move, but still committed to fully implement the peace agreement.

“This issue is something which has nothing to do with the government; it’s the IO that has decided to appoint Taban Deng Gai to act,” Michal Makuei told Eye Radio on Monday. “The peace agreement is holding.”

However, the deputy spokesperson of Dr Machar says the nomination of Taban to replace his boss is illegal.

“We cannot consider his as the first vice president and the endorsement that has been donet is not legal,” Roman Nyarji argued.

But the SPLM –IO team in Juba says the nomination of Taban Deng is in accordance with the party’s constitution.

Its spokesperson, William Ezekiel, also said Dr Riek Machar has no right to dismiss Gen Taban Deng.

“On our side, we held our convention the day before yesterday (Saturday) …chaired by comrade Alfred Ladu Gore,” Mr Ezekiel reacted.

“So the claim by the other side that they dismissed Taban Deng Gai is baseless; it’s groundless, not constitutional and illegal.”

The idea of naming Mr Taban to the position came after Dr Riek Machar moved out of Juba, following the recent fighting in the capital between his forces and the SPLA.

Dr Riek’s spokesman says his boss will not come to Juba unless a third security force has been deployed.

The Peace Agreement says that in the event that the post of the First Vice President falls vacant during the Transitional Period, for any reason, the replacement shall be nominated by the top leadership body of the SPLM in Opposition.

It further says that in the event of temporary absence of the First Vice President, he may delegate a senior Minister of the IO to carry out functions and duties as stipulated in the agreement.