Solly Reikeletseng withdraws from BDP Francistown South Parliamentary race
‘BDP should find somebody else since I have lost interest in political office’
The Chairperson of Botswana National Sports Commission Solly Reikeletseng who was tipped to represent Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in Francistown South constituency in the next general election has informed this publication that he has lost interest in political office citing personal reasons.
Reikeletseng was recruited by BDP to help capture the constituency from Wynter Mmolotsi of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Asked about this, Reikeletseng said that he is not afraid of the truth and disclosed that he was once approached by some BDP big guns to represent them in the 2019 general election.
“Seriously speaking when I was initially approached by some BDP bigwigs, I was seriously interested as I went on to accept the offer. I am one person who likes to tell the truth. I have reconsidered their offer and as things stand, I have lost interest in political office for now and BDP should find a better candidate to represent them in Francistown South. Concerning the 2019 general election, I am out of the race, but I cannot rule out the possibility of rejoining politics in the future,” he said.
When pressed to give reasons as to why he has suddenly decided to withdraw from the race before BDP’s primary elections, Reikeletseng declined to say anything save that his reasons are purely personal. He withdraws from Francistown South BDP Parliamentary race at a time when other candidates eyeing the constituency are engaged in vigorous unsanctioned campaigns to snatch the constituency from UDC.
The incumbent Mmolotsi representing Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) under the UDC brought down Francistown City Mayor Sylvia Muzila with a thud in the past general election as he garnered 5261 votes against Muzila’s 3289. Botswana Congress Party (BCP) candidate Vain Mamela garnered 1511 votes.
With BCP in the UDC, it will certainly be a steep climb for the BDP candidate to wrestle the constituency, so it seems.
