On Friday, May 23, thousands of NRM party delegates from the Oyam district gathered to elect new party leaders.
Bosco Onyik Ogwal was elected the Oyam district NRM chairperson, defeating Patrick Ogwal Ojok and Engola Junior in a hotly contested election marked by emotion and rejection.
Onyik got 271 votes, while Engola got 192. He promptly rejected the results, blaming his defeat, among other things, on Willie Omodo Omodo.
He claimed that Omodo was seen directing voters away from his line and toward Onyik.
Engola had to file a petition before the NRM administrative secretary’s table in Oyam, demanding that the entire election be cancelled.
He told NRM election officials that the Friday elections are “intertwined” and should not take place unless his demand was met.
Speaking to reporters, Onyik promised to mobilize from the grassroots to the district. He also stated that his leadership will strengthen the NRM party structures in Lango while mobilising people to participate in various government programs.
Meanwhile, with only 10 votes, Philip Ogile Jakayo was removed from his position as publicity secretary. Billy Otto beat him with 335 votes.
Bismark Olang finished third with 67 votes. Ogile’s defeat was celebrated, with one delegate stating, “He had lost it.”
Before the election, Tonny Ocen, who had expressed an interest in becoming the publicity secretary, asked delegates to vote for Otto.
In what many thought was the final nail on Ogile’s head, Ocen stated that Otto was the only qualified candidate for the position.
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