Parliamentary Workers Shut Down Assemblies, Insist On Autonomy For Legislature

By Ayodele Oni

The strike action embarked upon by Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), which enters the second day on Tuesday, has paralysed activities at the National and State Assemblies.

As at last count, not less than 10 states including Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Rivers Edo Delta among others have joined the strike with some of the gates to the assemblies firmly locked to prevent any legislative duty.

PASAN is demanding for, among others  financial autonomy for the states assembly.

Nasarawa state chairman of PASAN,  Suleiman Oshafu, who spoke in Lafia, said that the strike is total while urging the state governors to do the needful by implementing financial autonomy for State Houses of Assembly.

“We are here today to embark on strike over financial autonomy for the State Houses of Assembly. As financial autonomy will promote accountability, transparency and good governance in the country.”

Oshafu recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari signed an Executive Order granting the financial autonomy of the state assemblies in 2020.

“What we want from the Government is that all state legislature must be granted financial autonomy.This strike is nationwide and is indefinite strike.”

He urged members of the association to stay at home until further directive from the national leadership of the association and be law abiding.

Members of the Sokoto State Chapter of the PASAN,  joined their counterparts nationwide as they embarked on an indefinite strike, shutting down the State House of Assembly complex.

Its Chairman, Mr Abubakar Yusuf, while addressing newsmen in Sokoto, explained that the strike was an extension of their ongoing struggle that began in 2020.

He said, “As you may recall, we took similar action in 2020. Following interventions from various sectors, we reached an agreement promising full financial autonomy for the legislative arm of government.

“This order faced challenges from state governors in the Supreme Court. After resolving the legal complexities, the order was reaffirmed, and the former president initiated a committee for its full implementation. This progress has stalled following transition of government.”

Yusuf added that the association has patiently awaited progress on the government promises and gave it a 21-day ultimatum to address their concerns.

“Regrettably, no action was taken. Consequently, we have taken the step of indefinitely locking all State Assemblies, including the National Assembly, until our demands for full implementation are met.”

Yusuf said that the association’s demands encompassed the implementation of CONCLESS conditions of service and the payment of parliamentary staff outfit allowances.

According to him, the struggle was not solely for the benefit of the parliamentary staff, adding, “it is driven by a national interest in ensuring the government’s success in the fight against corruption.”

In some states, members of the association carried different placards reading: “No going back on financial autonomy”; “Financial autonomy is constitutionally guaranteed”; “Give us our financial autonomy now”; “No Autonomy, no legislator and no work”; and “Autonomy the only solution to vibrant legislation,” among others.