Tuelo develops cold feet

Chakalisa Dube | Wednesday June 28, 2017 17:04

 

The BDP primaries, to book candidacy for the 2019 general elections, will take place later this year. Should Tuelo withdraw, the battle will be between former Francistown South legislator Khumongwana Maoto and Modiri Lucas.  Another potential candidate Andy Boatile pulled out of the primary election race last month. Some BDP members

also attempted to convince Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) Solly Reikeletseng to contest the primaries but they were unsuccessful.  “I did a self evaluation and I think that it will not be the right time for me to contest the primaries.

I am naturally from Francistown West so I had to cover much ground as well understanding the dynamics of the constituency (Francistown West) before I could think about contesting the primaries,” Tuelo said.  

He added, “Unfortunately I have not covered much ground and I am still in the process of learning the dynamics of the constituency which is why I am thinking of not contesting the primaries”. “I am almost certain that I will not contest the primaries but I would like to hear the views of other people I work with before I take a final decision.

Maybe they have a different assessment of my situation and may convince me otherwise,” Tuelo said yesterday. Tuelo is said to be preparing to go back to Francistown West where he intends to contest the BDP primaries in Monarch South. 

“I intend to remain in Francistown South to learn the dynamics of the constituency. Speculation that I intend to contest the Monarch South primaries was there even before I relocated to Francistown South,” he said.  In May last year Tuelo relocated to Francistown South and opened the Monarch Community Development Centre (MCDC) branch. The first MCDC branch started its operations in Francistown West. 

Tuelo said that the Francistown South office was established to help the youth access government initiatives. BDP diehards in Francistown South held a contrary view. They said that the MCDC office is being used to help Tuelo position himself for a triumph at the party primaries. 

At the time Tuelo also denied that he intends to contest the party primaries in Francistown South. The concerned members have often accused Tuelo of campaigning for the primaries through the office though the party is yet to open for campaigns.

The MCDC gained prominence in 2013 after it emerged that it was behind the bogus petition, which forced the postponement of the Francistown West by-election at the eleventh hour.  

The winner of the BDP Francistown South is expected to face MP Wynter Mmolotsi of the UDC.