- His supporters are frustrated by the suspense
- Opposition parties pursue Dikoloti as a candidate
GAZETTE REPORTER
Health minister Dr Edwin Dikoloti – who was recently ousted as one of two Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) candidates in a primaries re-run for the Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency – is keeping his supporters frustrated in suspense regarding his plans.
Disqualifying Dikoloti in favour of finance minister Peggy Serame has sparked controversy, especially that he defeated Serame by 1,481 votes in the party’s primary elections.
Since being disqualified as a candidate, Dikoloti has not addressed his supporters or offered any indication regarding his plans, thus keeping them on tenterhooks.
Betrayal
“Many of them are calling on him to speak out against what they consider an injustice and to provide direction on the next steps to take, but he is not coming forth. He has told some people that he is still digesting what happened,” said one member of his campaign team.
Insiders say the mood on the ground is tense, with Dikoloti’s supporters vowing not to take what they see as a betrayal of their preferred candidate lying down. According to sources, Dikoloti is still weighing his options and taking advice before making any public statements.
Attempts to reach Dikoloti proved unsuccessful as his mobile phone was switched off for most of yesterday (Tuesday). Close associates say he has been keeping a low profile and avoiding using his phone.
“Unworkable”
The Central Committee of the BDP recently bypassed a primaries re-run in Goodhope-Mmathethe after citing time constraints to justify disqualifying Dikoloti.
A letter signed by Secretary General of the party, Kavis Kario, said the BDP invoked Regulation 13(b) of its Primary Election Regulations that allows the Central Committee to nominate a candidate when it deems holding primaries “unworkable.”
The letter added that there was not enough time to organise primaries before the nomination day for the 30 October 2024 general elections.
Alienated
Peggy Serame was thus appointed the party’s candidate for the constituency. Serame had previously launched an appeal against the results, arguing that irregularities in voting hours during the primaries had violated BDP regulations and disadvantaged her.
The Central Committee’s decision to sideline Dikoloti has left sections of the party base, especially in the Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency, alienated and disgruntled.
As Dikoloti’s supporters await his next move, tensions continue to simmer, with the potential for further divisions within the BDP as the general elections approach.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have revealed that they are pursuing him to run as their candidate.