The BDP has not known peace in the constituency ever since Honest Buti Billy beat Foreign Affairs Minister Phandu Skelemani in the primaries last year. It is understood that the BDP has roped in members of the branch committee, regional committee and ordinary party members to accompany the elders for the meeting. “The purpose of the meeting will be to try to promote peace between the party members (belonging to Skelemani and Billy factions) in the constituency,” a source said. It is reported that the relationship between the two men and their campaign team has reached an all-time low after the fiercely contested primaries.
It is not clear how the two fell out, but it is alleged that Billy is not involving Skelemani’s supporters in his campaigns. “Those who supported Skelemani are bitter about the way Billy has been treating them. They have even vowed that they will vote for the opposition at the general elections. Billy is not involving them in campaign meetings and they do not form part of the campaign team,” said a source.
