The rift between former Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti and the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is continuing to widen.
Dikoloti attributes the rift on his action of taking the party to court over his removal from the candidacy in the Goodhope Mabutsane constituency. He explained that the people of Goodhope – Mmathethe had made their voice known by voting for him on the 1st of July and unfortunately they have witnessed that their democratic wishes were not wanted by the party.
He urged the people to do the right thing at the ballot box as he will run as an independent candidate. Dikoloti stated that he has taken a decision to resign from the BDP even though he grew up in it. He explained that every decision he has taken has been due to the voice of the people and the decision to run as an independent candidate was the will of the people.
Dikoloti said that ‘Wena Beulah’ is a biblical connotation indicating a land of hope and that it is where Botswana wants to go.
According to his lawyer, Kgosi Ngakayagae, the BDP and Dikoloti have been at loggerheads for a while with Dikoloti writing numerous letters to the BDP about issues concerning him within the party and the involvement of governmental departments in the primary elections in Goodhope.
However, President of the BDP Mokgweetsi Masisi said that those that run as independent candidates cannot bring development to the people they are representing. Masisi argued that one needs a budget to back up initiatives and schemes that are brought by a president. He said that independent candidacy is foolishness of the last degree and the calibre of such people is so high that it is embarrassing.
Masisi criticised those that do so and said that no country has ever been ruled by independent candidates. He asked members of the BDP to vote for the BDP in large numbers and ensure that these independent candidates are not voted for so they should learn their lesson and return to the BDP.
Addressing members of the media Masisi said that the law of the party is followed to the tee. He said that the party has done nothing wrong in Goodhope. He said that the central committee of the party makes decisions as a collective and he as the party president cannot make decisions alone.
With regards to the Goodhope saga, Masisi said the electoral board, and the party lawyer were among those that advised. Masisi said that they are not looking back as Peggy Serame is the parliamentary candidate for the Goodhope–Mmathethe area.
Dikoloti attributes the rift on his action of taking the party to court over his removal from the candidacy in the Goodhope Mabutsane constituency. He explained that the people of Goodhope – Mmathethe had made their voice known by voting for him on the 1st of July and unfortunately they have witnessed that their democratic wishes were not wanted by the party.
He urged the people to do the right thing at the ballot box as he will run as an independent candidate. Dikoloti stated that he has taken a decision to resign from the BDP even though he grew up in it. He explained that every decision he has taken has been due to the voice of the people and the decision to run as an independent candidate was the will of the people.
Dikoloti said that ‘Wena Beulah’ is a biblical connotation indicating a land of hope and that it is where Botswana wants to go.
According to his lawyer, Kgosi Ngakayagae, the BDP and Dikoloti have been at loggerheads for a while with Dikoloti writing numerous letters to the BDP about issues concerning him within the party and the involvement of governmental departments in the primary elections in Goodhope.
However, President of the BDP Mokgweetsi Masisi said that those that run as independent candidates cannot bring development to the people they are representing. Masisi argued that one needs a budget to back up initiatives and schemes that are brought by a president. He said that independent candidacy is foolishness of the last degree and the calibre of such people is so high that it is embarrassing.
Masisi criticised those that do so and said that no country has ever been ruled by independent candidates. He asked members of the BDP to vote for the BDP in large numbers and ensure that these independent candidates are not voted for so they should learn their lesson and return to the BDP.
Addressing members of the media Masisi said that the law of the party is followed to the tee. He said that the party has done nothing wrong in Goodhope. He said that the central committee of the party makes decisions as a collective and he as the party president cannot make decisions alone.
With regards to the Goodhope saga, Masisi said the electoral board, and the party lawyer were among those that advised. Masisi said that they are not looking back as Peggy Serame is the parliamentary candidate for the Goodhope–Mmathethe area.
