Lobatse legislator Nehemiah Modubule on Friday announced his decision to join the Botswana Movement for Democracy, saying his former party, the Botswana National Front, which he so badly wanted to rejoin, was not interested in reconciling with him.
Modubule, who was expelled from the BNF two years ago, made official his intention to join BMD at a press conference held in Lobatse. He said that he had not been issued with a BMD membership card but will accordingly apply.
“The BNF has shown no interest in reconciling with me,” said Modubule as he announced to a packed hall that he was withdrawing his membership application to the BNF and realigning himself with BMD.
Modubule stated that he was fully aware of the consequences and challenges that lay ahead.
He said that he had tried on numerous occasions to dialogue with the BNF leadership to get re-admitted back into the party. He gave a narration of how he made several attempts after being expelled to rejoin the BNF, stating that he had realised that the BNF leadership was not serious about admitting him back into the party.
Modubule urged the Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Botswana Movement For Democracy (BMD) to start cooperation in advance to prepare for the 2014 General Elections.
“As opposition members we need one another,” said Modubule.
Perhaps as a sign that the Lobatse MP was a big catch for BMD, Modubule, along with his wife, were handed two BMD T-shirts by the party’s interim chairman, Gomolemo Motswaledi.
Modubule said that parting with the BNF was not an easy decision to make but nevertheless stated that he was greatful for the support he received from those BNF members, especially council candidates who assisted him in the run up to the 2009 general elections.
Modubule stated that the front runner in the BNF presidential campaign would not do anything extra ordinary to turn around the party’s fortunes. He said that he had decided that he would join the BMD following consultation with his constituents.
He added that joining a new organisation had its own advantages, stating that he was also looking foward to influencing BMD with socialist orientated policies.
With Modubule on board, this means the number of BMD MPs has increased to 6 and the party now stands at par with the BNF which also has 6 MPs.
