A delegation of Botswana Congress Party veterans has convinced party National Chairman, Batisani Maswibilili, to contest the next General Elections to enhance their chances of snatching the Nkange Constituency from the ruling BDP’s Ambrose Masalila.
Apparently Maswibilili had steadfastly told his executive colleagues that, because of personal reasons, he did not wish to contest the party primaries.
This sent shivers down the spines of the BCP/BAM/NDF axis as Nkange is one of the constituencies they truly fancy their chances in the next elections.
They recognized that without Maswibilili, given his popularity, the BDP’s chances of retaining Nkange would be enhanced.
Maswibilili, a strict disciplinarian and accomplished administrator, is said to be largely acceptable to constituents across the political divide many of whom have been calling for the ouster of Masalila, who many view as a divisive hardliner.
Even without the BCP threats, Masalila, a junior Minister holding the portfolio of Local Government, has been experiencing a growing run of problems from inside his party and constituency.
His troubles started when a number of his constituency councilors openly defied him, taking to head when he had to deal with bigger threats posed by former Botswana Police Commissioner Edwin Batshu who was reportedly planning to join politics.
Not to take any chances, Masalila got so taken over by the Batshu threat that he (Masalila) had to approach the party head office, calling on the executive committee to reign in Batshu.
This week the BCP leadership were excited that after a period of uncertainty Maswibilili had agreed to put in his name for the primaries.
At a press conference this week, the BCP Vice President, Dr. Kesitegile Gobotswang, said his party would be worried were any of the executive committee members found to have applied for the primaries.
“We hope Mr. Maswibilili has applied. If any executive member has not applied we obviously will have to find out why,” said Gobotswang.
He went on to make it clear that at this moment everyone’s priority inside the BCP was to increase the party’s chances.
“We should not let the BDP off the hook.”
Nkange is one of the constituencies in which the BCP seems to be growing more confident of snatching it from the BDP, thanks to the PACT relationship with BAM.
Based on the results from the last General Elections another constituency in which the BCP is getting more buoyed to win is Ngami, currently held by BDP Secretary General, Jacob Nkate.
