Member of Parliament for Chobe, Machana Shamukuni and businessman Luckson Likokoto may be headed for another Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) party primary elections showdown ahead of the 2024 general elections.
In 2018, Likokoto lost the primaries to Shamukuni who garnered 2050 against his 1090. Shamukuni who is also the minister of Justice went on to retain the constituency in the 2019 general elections with 4575 against 3200 of Simasiku Mapulanga of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
While Likokoto could not comment on the issue on the basis that BDP’s political campaigns are yet to be officially declared, reports indicate that some party members are pestering him to challenge as they want to oust Shamukuni whom they accuse of poor representation in parliament.
But Likokoto said he is also not aware that there are members who want him to represent them in parliament.
In separate interviews, some party members said they had expected a lot from Shamukuni in advocating for challenges and deliverance of community projects but to their disappointment he is never on the ground to appreciate these challenges.
They content that Likokoto is always available to support members of the communities. They believe Likokoto is the rightful man for the job noting that he has a vision for the constituency and has proved so in many ways including doing developing projects for them as well as advocating for issues affecting their livelihoods.
One of the members, Munimasanzu Songa said Likokoto has shown persistence in his vision for Chobe and proven himself as a great leader. “Likokoto has been supporting the Chobe community even before he lost the 2018 primary elections, after that he has proven that he lost votes not his vision as he continued supporting the community up to date something that is much commendable,” he said.
He stated that as the electorates of Chobe they will be doomed if he loses him again as there is no better candidate than him.
Another member who preferred to remain anonymous said they had expected a lot from Shamukuni by virtue of his status as a minister, for him to push for fast implementation of some of the proposed projects in the constituency but to their disappointment that has not happened.
He highlighted that though government has already approved some of their proposed projects such as the construction of a new hospital and a senior school, they never heard Shamukuni pushing for their implementation.
Another BDP member, Salang Morwe said it is high time they take Likokoto to parliament because he has proven to be a great leader whose representation in parliament can benefit the region.
“Likokoto is approachable to both the youth and elders of the community, he is always on the ground to ensure that the challenges faced by members of the community are being addressed,” Morwe highlighted.
