The Federal Government has explained that President Muhammadu Buhari called the trip to Kigali, Rwanda, for the extraordinary meeting of African Union Heads of State and Government, to allow more input from Nigerian stakeholders.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled his trip to Kigali, Rwanda, to attend an Extraordinary Summit of the African Union on Tuesday, March 21, to sign the framework agreement for establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, said Tope Adeleye Elias-Fatile, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This is to allow more time for input from Nigerian stakeholders.”
The president, was billed to depart Nigeria for Kigali on Monday for the signing of the framework agreement for establishing the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).
The Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, last Wednesday approved the framework agreement for establishing African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), despite a dramatic warning by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
“We at the Nigeria Labour Congress are shocked by the sheer impunity or blatant lack of consultation in the process that has led to this, President of NLC, Aruba Wabba, declared.
“We are more worried by the probable outcome of this policy initiative if it is given life because of its crippling effect on the local businesses and attendant effects on jobs.
The NLC has accused the government of not consulting widely on the issue, which it believes is detrimental to Nigeria’s economic interests.
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