Esther Afoyocan, Grace Freedom Kwiocwiny, and Okumu Gabriel Secure Zombo NRM Primaries Amid Electoral Turbulence

By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo District’s National Resistance Movement Party Registrar, Prisca Unegiu, has declared the victors of the party’s primaries for the Zombo District Woman MP seat, Ora County, and Okoro County constituencies.

The announcement followed an intense, overnight vote-tallying process that commenced on July 17, 2025, at approximately 7:20 PM and concluded on Friday, July 18, 2025, around 11:00 AM at Zombo District headquarters.

The tallying process was marred by significant disruptions, halting for hours on Friday morning as supporters of various candidates challenged the figures presented by Registrar Unegiu.

 The situation prompted Zombo’s Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Festus Ayikobua, to mandate a recount of votes on a parish-by-parish basis.

 Tensions escalated, with rival factions nearly coming to blows until RDC Ayikobua directed security forces to restore order.

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.