30/05/2025
On 9 June 2010, the Sunday Standard reported internal turmoil within the Botswana National Front (BNF) as its Central Committee disqualified Duma Boko from contesting the party’s presidency. The committee cited Boko’s past as a founding member of the New Democratic Front (NDF), a BNF splinter party, making him ineligible under party rules.
A task force had concluded that Boko had resigned from the BNF to form the NDF. However, the BNF Youth League (BNFYL) strongly opposed the decision, arguing that the investigation was flawed and that Boko was never given a chance to respond.
They also questioned the legitimacy of the task force itself, particularly the inclusion of Chalido Madome, who they claimed had not been properly delegated to serve on the Central Committee.
BNFYL Vice President Tona Selala and other youth leaders endorsed Boko’s candidacy regardless of the disqualification and demanded the matter be resolved before the national congress. They warned that if ignored, the issue would be brought before the congress itself.
Ultimately, Boko appealed the decision and was cleared to run. He went on to win the BNF presidency by a landslide at the July 2010 congress—overcoming internal resistance and beginning a significant chapter in both his political career and the history of the BNF.
