Mismanagement of African Continental Free Trade Agreement
When African nations gathered to sign the African Continental Free Trade
agreement on March 21st, 2018, Nigeria was conspicuously absent.
Nigeria is Africas most populous nation and its largest economy and
should have taken a key role in shaping the negotiations and the eventual
agreement so that it would be beneficial to Nigerias economic and
security interests.
Instead of providing leadership, the Muhammadu Buhari government has
exported its shambolic approach to governance at home to the continental
stage. Just days after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved
Nigerias participation in the agreement, the Buhari government announced
it would no longer be participating because some key stakeholders were
not consulted.
It is unconscionable that it is at this late stage in the process that the
Buhari government is realizing that it ought to have engaged with
Stakeholders.
Our movement believes that the economy of a nation as large as Nigeria,
and decisions that impact the lives of almost 200 million people should
not be taken lightly or on the whims of one man.
The #TakeBackNigeria movement makes a firm commitment to Nigerians that we
will move quickly to ensure continuing Nigerian leadership on the global
stage and will join a continental free trade agreement that affirms the
following principles.
1. Promotes the economic well being of Nigerias people
2. Prevents the dumping of goods into Nigeria
3. Ensures a rapid and sustainable growth of the Nigerian economy
4. Assures reciprocity in access to markets
5. Does not compromise national security
6. Is intended to strictly benefit Africans only, and not foreign powers
from the East or West.
Nigerians, from all walks of life and from across all economic segments
will be carried along in our deliberations on this topic from day one.
Their voices will not be considered at the last minute, as has become the
practice of the Buhari government.
Nigeria MUST progress!!
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