Political Analyst Dismisses BDP Ticket Ambitions
FRANCISTOWN: Political analyst, Leonard Sesa has shot down suggestions that he is strongly positioning himself to contest the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primaries in the Sefhare-Ramokgonami constituency.
There is mounting speculation that Sesa is busy mobilising supporters in the constituency to back his bid for the ruling party primaries in the constituency.
He has also reportedly been actively participating in various community engagements in Sefhare-Ramokgonami. Many speculate that Sesa’s participation in community activities in the area is aligned to his ambitions to contest the BDP primaries, ahead of the 2024 General Election. “I work for the University of Botswana (UB) and part of my assessment (at UB) is based on my community work. That is why I have been actively participating in community engagements in the constituency. I chose Sefhare-Ramokgonami because I am from the constituency. I will continue doing community work in the constituency for many years to come,” Sesa said yesterday.
The UB academic further stated that by offering his analysis in local newspapers he is also giving back to the community.
He went on to explain that several people from both the BDP and opposition in the constituency have been trying to recruit him as well as promising to back his bid if at all he considers contesting the elections in the constituency under their respective parties.
“Contesting for political office is something that requires money and a lot of commitment. It involves various factors. Should I consider joining active politics or contesting for political office, I will have to do a lot of consultation with my family and various stakeholders. Let me say that if at all I want to contest political office or join active politics, I will make an announcement at the right time. I will follow the right channels (that one should follow when he or she wants to contest for political office or join active politics),” said Sesa who maintains that he is not affiliated to any party.
Sesa says that he suspects talk that he is very keen to contest the BDP primaries is peddled by some opposition members who accuse him of not being fair in his analysis of the government of the day.
Although he does admit that President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s government has its own flaws, he is of the view that the right time to analytically evaluate the former’s presidency or government will be after he has completed two and half years of his five-year term.
Despite Sesa’s denial, there is swelling opinion that he has set his sights on contesting the BDP primaries that will eventually book him a ticket to the 2024 General Election. The BDP was not readily available to comment on the speculation linking Sesa to the party or its primaries as secretary-general, Mpho Balopi’s phone rang unanswered. The mobile phone of the party spokesperson, Banks Kentse was not available either.