Buhari On Delayed Signing of African Free Trade Agreement: 'I am a Slow Reader'
"I didn't read it fast enough before my officials saw that it was all right for signature," says Nigeria's president.
In March, 44 African nations signed a free trade agreement, to improve intra-regional trade. Nigeria, one of the continent's largest economies, was noticeably absent from the signing.
On Wednesday, President Buhari announced that Nigeria would finally sign on to the $3 trillion African free-trade agreement, reports Reuters.
It was previously stated that Nigeria had opted out of the deal in order to maintain control over it's own business and industry. However, in a meeting wth South Africa's President Cyril Mariposa in Abuja yesterday, the Nigerian president revealed that there was also somewhat of a personal reason for the delay:
In trying to guarantee employment, goods and services in our country, we have to be careful with agreements that will compete, maybe successfully, against our upcoming industries.
I am a slow reader, maybe because I was an ex-soldier. I didn't read it fast enough before my officials saw that it was all right for signature. I kept it on my table. I will soon sign it.
Critics have often described Buhari as a sluggish, slow to act leader, and his most recent comments have only left him open to further criticism.
“I am a slow reader, maybe because I was an ex-soldier. I didn’t read it fast enough before my officials saw that i… https://t.co/SCcZeu5Ogf— The Capitaine (@The Capitaine)1531398809.0
What is Buhari really good for? You're given a document that portends vast economic potentials for your country a… https://t.co/QT3v9knZPo— Charles the 1st (@Charles the 1st)1531391723.0
@SaharaReporters ....so going by this Buhari's theory, Ex-Soldiers are slow readers? Hmmmm!— Mr JayDee ™ (@Mr JayDee ™)1531407969.0
All ex-soldiers are slow readers. Argue with President Buhari— David Makanjuola (@David Makanjuola)1531404264.0
@Tomi_Oladipo @tamaraedolor I am Buhari critic but not signing the free trade deal was one thing I commended him fo… https://t.co/2RY9TTjvot— No one (@No one)1531390128.0
No sir, you're not a slow reader because you're an ex-soldier, you're a slow reader because you're Buhari. https://t.co/54L6srn7mN— H.O.N. (@H.O.N.)1531389199.0
All Buhari's inactions have been/ will be justified by some semi-smart reasons constructed by his media people but… https://t.co/Yt47NlaObL— del (@del)1531404926.0
President Buhari admits that he is SLOW...as in Sssllloooooow. “I am a slow reader, maybe because I was an ex-sol… https://t.co/uoXpUKjt1K— Rally Nigeria (@Rally Nigeria)1531394805.0
‘I am a slow reader, maybe because I was an ex-soldier. I didn’t read it fast enough before my officials saw that i… https://t.co/y5E1FPpapt— Don Barzini (@Don Barzini)1531394636.0