President Mokgweetsi Masisi has stated that the decision taken by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to drop Dr. Edwin Dikoloti and appoint Minister of Finance, Peggy Serame, as the party's parliamentary candidate for the Goodhope-Mathethe constituency at the upcoming General Election is fair and just as per the party's constitution.
BDP witnessed one of its dramatic Bulela Ditswe (primary elections) when the outright winner Dikoloti was tossed aside to give way to the preferred candidate Serame. Dikoloti decided to approach court for reinstatement, which he later withdrew. Dikoloti has since registered as an independent candidate under the slogan 'Wena Beulah' ahead of the 2024 General Election. He was also fired as the Minister of Health on Friday which led to him resigning as a member of the BDP. In an interview with Mmegi Online team at the Presidential nominations held yesterday, Masisi who is also the president of the BDP stated that the party's central committee dealt swiftly with the matter and followed the right channels. "With Goodhope-Mathethe constituency the party did nothing wrong we were advised by the electoral board which gave us enough reasons. We were also advised by the party lawyer who too gave us the same reasons. The party also went back to reflect on other things and a decision was made," Masisi said. He further highlighted that as the party president he did not influence any decisions as his powers at the party are limited compared to his powers at the national level due to differences in the two constitutions.
"Our constitution at the BDP is not the same as that of the country as it does not give the president powers to take decisions alone. We vote if there is a need as per the advice of the electoral board and party lawyer," he said. Masisi said the decison taken by the party is final and envisioned that Serame who is now the candidate can go all the way to win the Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency. "We are not going back on our decision and Peggy Serame is our Goodhope-Mathethe constituency candidate and this our next Member of Parliament (MP) for this constituency," Masisi stated. Masisi's presidential nomination was successful and he is the BDP candidate for the 2024 General Election. Other presidential nominations that were successful are that of Duma Boko UDC, Dumelang Saleshando BCP, and Mephato Reatile BPF. Biggie Butale of the Botswana Republican Party (BRP) failed to meet the required 998 signatures for presidential nominations.
"Our constitution at the BDP is not the same as that of the country as it does not give the president powers to take decisions alone. We vote if there is a need as per the advice of the electoral board and party lawyer," he said. Masisi said the decison taken by the party is final and envisioned that Serame who is now the candidate can go all the way to win the Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency. "We are not going back on our decision and Peggy Serame is our Goodhope-Mathethe constituency candidate and this our next Member of Parliament (MP) for this constituency," Masisi stated. Masisi's presidential nomination was successful and he is the BDP candidate for the 2024 General Election. Other presidential nominations that were successful are that of Duma Boko UDC, Dumelang Saleshando BCP, and Mephato Reatile BPF. Biggie Butale of the Botswana Republican Party (BRP) failed to meet the required 998 signatures for presidential nominations.
