BDP confident of retaining Bophirima ward
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday March 15, 2022 06:00
Already, the BDP has started campaigns in the area while on the other hand the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is caught up in internal wrangling.
The ruling party has not been doing well in by-elections hence it is trying its best to be united for the Bophirima ward this time around.
While the BDP has settled on aspirant candidate Onkemetse Mothei, opposition parties are, however, still divided on the UDC candidacy despite having endorsed Mankie Sekete as its choice.
However Botswana Congress Party (BCP), which is an affiliate of the UDC wants its member, Peter Mogapi to contest for the ward.
The BCP’s choice is supported by the Alliance for Progressives (AP) while the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) says it will support any candidate that UDC endorses.
BDP spokesperson, Kagelelo Kentse said they are not focused on the internal battles in the UDC.
Instead, he said, “We are focused on selling our capable candidate and the BDP to the people of Bophirima who entrusted us with the seat in 2019”.
“We are asking them to vote for the BDP again. The happenings at UDC clearly show that the party cannot lead this country. They cannot be entrusted with government.”
Kentse added he is happy that Bophirima ward residents have trust in the BDP and they are promising to vote for the ruling party again.
He said their members are busy conducting house-to-house campaigns to lure support. In addition, he said they are targeting some disgruntled opposition members to vote for them.
In the 2019 General Election, BDP garnered 731 votes, UDC got 437, AP had 333 while an independent candidate got 113 in Bophirima ward.