I am not finished - Ngoma
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday April 24, 2014 12:23
The former mayor of Francistown told Mmegi that he is still a very marketable figure, despite a 10-year string of poor showing in the BDP primaries.
Early this year, Ngoma lost the BDP parliamentary primary elections in Francistown West to Ignatius Moswaane. He returned to the constituency after he had lost Bulela Ditswe to newcomer Biggie Butale in Tati West constituency last year.
Ngoma is not new to the constituency, as he had tried and lost the BDP parliamentary primaries in 2004 and 2009, and now 2014.
But the once firebrand of the BDP politics in Francistown insists he still has what it takes to contest. This week Ngoma told Mmegi that he planned standing as a mokoko in the Francistown West in the October general elections.
“I believe I still have what it takes. The fact that I have failed at the primaries in the past does not mean that I am not a capable leader. Primaries and general elections are a different ball game.
“I believe I can triumph at the general elections if I go solo. I believe primary elections are prone to a greater level of manipulation of the voting system. That is why I am saying that I can win at the general elections where there is little room for manipulation,” he said.
He was also unfazed by those who believe he is power hungry.
“All politicians who want to serve in a political office are after power and I am no exception,” he said.
Ngoma however, yesterday maintained that he will become an independent candidate (mokoko) if the court disqualifies the BDP candidate in Francistown West, Moswaane over the case with Whyte Marobela. Last year Marobela successfully petitioned the party from fielding Moswaane as the BDP candidate for the by-election.
“I am waiting for that opportune moment when Moswaane will be banned if at all it happens because it is one of the eventualities. If he is barred that is when I can quit the party to go solo,” he said.
While the BDP executive secretary Sechele Sechele claimed ignorance of Ngoma’s move, the Francistown region secretary Ford Moiteela confirmed hearing the rumours.
“I confronted Ngoma about the rumours that he wants to contest the general polls independently but he shot down the speculation,” Moiteela said.
Moswaane also said that he is aware of speculation.
“I do not have a problem with him standing as an independent candidate. It is almost every politician’s wish to go to Parliament,” he said.