Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) in Edo State took a decisive step on Monday by sealing off the gates to the Edo State House of Assembly. The move came following the expiration of the ultimatum issued for the nationwide implementation of financial autonomy in legislative houses across the country.
What began as a peaceful demonstration outside the Assembly quickly escalated, effectively preventing lawmakers from accessing the legislative chamber.
Umaru Farouk Haruna, Chairman of PASAN in Edo State, conveyed the directive from PASAN’s national president, Comrade Mohammed Usman, urging all chapter chairmen and secretaries to mobilize their members for maximum compliance with the nationwide industrial action.
The nationwide peaceful protest was initiated after the government and governors of the 36 states failed to meet the ultimatum for implementing autonomy in legislative houses. This ultimatum, initially given two days, was extended by one week, culminating in its conclusion on October 27, 2023.
Haruna emphasized the constitutional significance of autonomy, stating, “The issue of autonomy is a constitutional matter. You know it has been passed by the National Assembly and was assented to by the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari. All we need is for the government to start implementation.”
He continued, “The 36 states’ Houses of Assembly, you can call them rubber stamps. They can’t stand on their feet simply because they are not autonomous. We are not just fighting for the staff; we are fighting to deepen the dividends of democracy for Nigerians. The essence of the separation of power is when autonomy is in operation, but as we speak today, the governors are doing whatever they like, and nobody is asking them questions. The Houses of Assembly dare not speak because they are not autonomous bodies. This is the struggle we are in.”