Afoyocan, Kwiocwiny, and Okumu secure Zombo NRM flags amid electoral turbulence
Tensions nearly boiled over into physical altercations, requiring the RDC to call in security forces to restore calm.
Zombo: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries in Zombo District concluded with the declaration of winners for the District Woman MP, Ora County, and Okoro County flagbearer positions despite dramatic vote tallying disruptions, heated confrontations, and allegations of irregularities.
Prisca Unegiu, the NRM District Registrar for Zombo, officially announced the results on Friday, July 18, 2025, following an overnight vote-counting session that began on Thursday evening at 7:20 PM and ended around 11:00 AM at the Zombo District headquarters.
However, the tallying process was anything but smooth. It was marred by protests and confrontations from rival candidate supporters, forcing multiple halts on Friday morning.
The unrest prompted Zombo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Festus Ayikobua to intervene, ordering a parish-by-parish recount of the votes to ensure transparency.
Tensions nearly boiled over into physical altercations, requiring the RDC to call in security forces to restore calm.
Following a rigorous recount, Registrar Unegiu announced former State Minister Grace Freedom Kwiocwiny as the winner of the Ora County NRM ticket, securing 11,755 votes against incumbent Songa Biyika Lawrence’s 10,194, a margin of 1,561 votes.
Other contenders, Sumba Ronald and Jagenu Alex, garnered 1,268 and 3,002 votes, respectively.
In Okoro County, incumbent Okumu Gabriel clinched the seat with 17,508 of the 28,397 votes cast, decisively defeating Nobert Okello (4,850 votes), Benjamin Alipanga (3,504 votes), and Sam Kumakech (2,370 votes). Vote totals for Denis Orera were unavailable at the time of reporting.
The fiercely contested Woman MP primary saw incumbent Esther Afoyocan triumph with 20,753 votes, edging out her closest rival, Topista Acamfua, who secured 18,400 votes. Other candidates included Tasha Giramia Jalar (6,695 votes), Fiona Giramia (4,849 votes), Gloria Oroma (4,825 votes),
The announcement of Afoyocan’s victory sparked jubilant celebrations among her supporters, briefly disrupting Unegiu’s declaration of remaining results for candidates like Jane Evelyn Othora, Grace Monukuma, Nega Elizabeth, and Jackline Alanyu.
Post-announcement, tensions flared as Acamfua’s supporters accused Registrar Unegiu of inconsistent vote-counting practices, alleging she failed to tally Okoro County votes on a parish basis, as was done in Ora County.
Unegiu dismissed the complaints, advising dissatisfied parties to seek judicial recourse. A similar statement was reechoed by the NRM election observer only identified as Irene.
The primaries were overshadowed by notably low voter turnout, raising questions among political observers about the lackluster participation in a district with over 100,000 registered NRM members.
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