The Chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Dr Emmanuel Makaidi, who died on Thursday in Lindi Region, will be buried in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
Dr
Makaidi, who was co-chairman opposition coalition known in its
Kiswahili acronym as Ukawa, was vying for the Masasi parliamentary seat
in Mtwara Region.
Speaking
at the NLD headquarters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the party’s
secretary general, Mr Masoud Mukajanga, said preparations for Dr
Makaidi’s burial were underway.
“We
are still going on with the preparations,” said Mr Mukajanga, adding
that leaders and Dar es Salaam residents will pay their last respects at
the Karimjee Hall on Tuesday.
In
the 2005 General Election, Dr Makaidi ran as the NLD presidential
flag-bearer and was placed seventh out of 10 candidates, receiving 0.19
per cent of the total votes.
Meanwhile, President Jakaya Kikwete has expressed his shock over the death of Dr Makaidi.
In
his condolence message, President Kikwete said he was sharing his
sorrow with all NLD members, family and all Tanzanians following the
death of Dr Makaidi whom he described as a true patriotic and strong
leader.
He
said NLD has lost its longtime leader and that the nation has also lost
a patriotic politician who has participated in various development
activities.
“I would like to extend my condolences to Dr Makaidi’s family, friends and all Tanzanians in general,” said President Kikwete.
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