Ajo Ony’Ohisa Igele, a lead prosecutor in the trial of detained opposition leader Riek Machar, has declared his intention to contest for the position of governor of Eastern Equatoria State under the ruling SPLM.
Ohisa announced his bid on Friday at the SPLM state secretariat in Torit after paying a courtesy call on caretaker Governor Louis Lobong Lojore.
He said he had submitted his nomination form to the party secretariat and was seeking its endorsement through the internal selection process.
“I have taken my form and submitted it to the secretariat, and I want SPLM to elect me,” Ohisa told supporters, community representatives and political stakeholders.
Ohisa also owns Igele Farm in Ifwotu Payam, Torit County, where he has invested in agriculture.
Ohisa said his priorities include addressing food insecurity, drought, poor roads and inadequate water supplies for livestock, urging political leaders to focus on practical solutions rather than ethnic divisions.
“Our farms are burnt, our animals do not have enough water, and our roads are damaged. What do we do to resolve these challenges? These are the issues we need to discuss, not divisions along ethnic lines,” he said.
He called on fellow SPLM aspirants to maintain mutual respect during the contest and accept the outcome of the party’s selection process.
“In front of me, all of you are South Sudanese and human beings. I do not want to know your tribe. The tribe does not feed you,” he said.
Ohisa is the lead prosecutor in the trial of Machar and seven co-defendants over violence in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in March 2025. The defendants face charges including treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism and crimes against humanity. The charges relate to the violence and alleged attacks on government forces.
At Friday’s event, representatives from Greater Ikotos and Greater Magwi, civil society organisations and other political parties called for unity, accountability and leadership focused on development.
Lelang Caesar, representing Greater Ikotos County, welcomed Ohisa’s bid and called for cooperation among political leaders to improve residents’ welfare.
Odong Joseph Kamilo, representing Greater Magwi County, cited Ohisa’s agricultural activities and reported road construction efforts as examples of practical initiatives. He urged other aspirants to demonstrate their contributions to the state before seeking public office.
Vitale Abure Benjamin, deputy secretary-general of the Eastern Equatoria Civil Society Network, said civil society organisations would continue to advocate for citizens’ rights, accountability and peaceful political participation regardless of party affiliation.
“We do not want militancy; we want progress for our people. We want peace and development for our people,” Benjamin said.
Asis Otulo Okeleki, representing other political parties in the state, said candidates should be judged on their records and ability to address hunger, corruption and the misuse of public resources. He called for a governor who would serve all residents regardless of political affiliation.
Ohisa’s declaration does not make him the SPLM’s official candidate. He must first secure the party’s endorsement through its internal selection process.
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