Thursday, March 18, 2021 -African Union envoy for Infrastructure Raila Odinga has urged Tanzania authorities to respect the rule of law and pass power to the Vice President who is supposed to continue from where the departed president Magufuli left.
Reacting on the news about the death of Magufuli on Wednesday March 17, Mr. Odinga said it would be a good gesture for Tanzania government to do that which the law requires so that power transition is done respectfully.
The former premier challenged Tanzanian politicians and government to make sure they observe ideals of democracy just like their founding father Julius Kambarage Nyerere used to preach.
“At this moment of sorrow, I call on the Tanzanian nation to remain united and peaceful. I appeal to the nation to fall back to the tradition set by Mwalimu Nyerere,” Raila said.
President John Pombe Magufuli succumbed to heart complications while undergoing special treatment in Hospital. His death was announced by Vice President Samia Suluhu.
The ODM Party leader was speaking shortly after the opposition leader Tundu Lissu triggered the conversation which alluded to in-fights within corridors of power where Suluhu was almost being shortchanged by powerbrokers who were lartedy planning to pass the baton to their favorite.
Lissu and his team of opposition politicians blamed the military for delaying the swearing in event for Suluhu with an ill intention of bringing on board someone else whom they think can do exactly what Magufuli was doing for them.
In Tanzania, the constitution clearly states that only the vice President will automatically assume full powers in case of any calamity.
Magufuli was the Chama Cha Mapinduzi Party leader.
