The new speaker of the Lakes State assembly, Dhieu Wol, has taken oath of office two days after a controversial election.

He is replacing Baipath Majuec, who was dismissed in a decree last week by the state governor, Matur Chut.

Mr Dhieu was elected into office on Friday evening amid protest from a group of MPs, who said the vote did not follow the right procedures.

They said some nominees were rejected by the presiding chairman, leading to confusion. MPs from both sides almost exchanged blows in the state parliament.

Mr Dhieu told Eye Radio that his priority will be to unite the assembly and address insecurity.

“The assembly can’t operate without the executive and there is no way the executive can operate without the assembly,” he stated.

“So we need each other for the government to function properly and deliver services to the people of Lakes State. So my main mission will be to unite the assembly.”

At the time of his election, Mr Dhieu was the state Minister of Information. MPs who rejected his objection say he is yet to resign from the ministerial position.