Nkaigwa chickening out?

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday January 16, 2014 17:10

 

 Nkaigwa was to represent the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in the October general elections.

According to a party insider, Nkaigwa has informed Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) members in the constituency that there is no point in standing when his chances of winning are slim.

He is alleged to have complained that he does not have credible council candidates to give him fair competition.

The concerned BMD members felt that Nkaigwa needs to be called for a disciplinary hearing as he is failing to follow party procedures to inform it but keeps of speaking negatively during constituency meetings.

Sources allege that BMD members had reported Nkaigwa to his party office.

Nkaigwa however, seemed surprised by the allegations and even asked why some BMD members could discuss party issues with the media. He insisted he was on the ground campaigning, and had no intentions of quitting.

'I am ready to take Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) head on. I believe that we stand a good chance to win that constituency as UDC,' he said.

Although Nkaigwa says he will pull numbers, Gaborone North Constituency is a strong hold for BDP and BCP. In 2009, BDP's Keletso Rakhudu garnered 3,741 votes, narrowly beating Motsei Rapelane of the BCP, who polled 3,498. The BNF, represented by Lemogang Ntime, managed only 1,234.

BMD secretary general Wynter Mmolotsi, also claimed ignorance of Nkaigwa's alleged intentions to pull out of the race. He said they had not received any letter of complaint from Gaborone North constituency and to their best knowledge, Nkaigwa is the party representative in the coming elections.