Young politician Wany Lam defeats Dr Barnaba Marial in SPLM primaries in Uror

Former minister Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin has lost the SPLM primaries for Uror South Constituency No. 9 in Uror County, Jonglei State, to young politician Wany Lam Tuor.

Tuor secured 136 votes to win the party’s nomination for a seat in the National Legislative Assembly, defeating Dr Benjamin, who received 92 votes. Another aspirant, Tang Chatiem, finished third with 87 votes.

The primaries are part of the SPLM’s internal process to select candidates for various elective positions ahead of the upcoming national elections.

The party has directed members seeking elective office to participate in internal contests before receiving its endorsement to run in the general elections.

In October, SPLM Secretary-General Dr Akol Paul Kordit announced that nominations for various elective positions would be conducted from October 5 to 9, describing the exercise as part of the party’s internal democratic process.

The party subsequently reported receiving 848 applications for different positions nationwide, including 417 applications for geographical parliamentary constituencies.

The primaries are intended to give party members and grassroots structures a role in selecting candidates who will represent the SPLM in the general elections.

Tuor’s victory secures him the party’s nomination to contest the parliamentary seat representing Uror South Constituency No. 9 in the National Legislative Assembly.