Obasanjo attacks Buhari over failure to sign Africa free trade deal

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has frowned at President Muhammadu Buhari refusal to sign the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

Obasanjo described Buhari’s action as disappointing and that he hopes he changes his mind and append his signature before it will be too late.

The former president stated this during a presidential panel, entitled “When leaders make history” at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday.

According to him, “That President Buhari didn’t sign the free trade agreement in Kigali is disappointing; I hope he signs it before it is too late.

“Egypt started the discussion on the formation of the Organisation of African Unity but didn’t conclude it and Nigeria took over. Nigeria was also central to the discussion of the free trade agreement, but I am surprised that the country withdrew from signing.”

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The AfCFTA treaty is set up for the purpose of creating a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons, investments and a single currency. It is flagship projects of the African Union Agenda 2063.

Proponents of the treaty believe that it would improve intra- African trade and enhance economic growth and sustainable development.

But the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has kicked against it, and even commended President Buhari for not signing Nigeria unto it.

The group argued that the AfCFTA would make Nigeria a dumping ground for goods from other parts of the continent, to the detriment of the nation’s economy and its manufacturers.

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