Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) on Monday crippled legislative business in the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) over the refusal of the long sought after financial autonomy.
Truth Live News reports that the angry staff of the assembly blocked the entrance gates to the State House of Assembly, thereby depriving the lawmakers who came for the legislative business of the day from gaining way into the chambers.
This is sequel to the expiration of the ultimatum given to government for the implementation of financial autonomy in legislative houses in the country.
Addressing newsmen during the commencement of the nationwide industrial action, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of PASAN, Umaru Farouk Haruna, said the National President of the association, Comrade Mohammed Usman had directed all Chairmen and Secretaries across the country to mobilize her members for maximum compliance in the protest action today.
He said that the nationwide peaceful protest was being complied with by Edo State PASAN members after the expiration of 21 days ultimatum given to the Federal Government and Governors of the 36 States to implement financial autonomy in all legislative houses of the country, which was further extended by one week and ended 27th October, 2023.
“The issue of financial 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 federal and state governments to start implementation. But as we speak today, nothing has been done.
“The 36 States House of Assembly, you can call them rubber stamp because they are not on their feet simply because they are not on Financial Autonomy.
“We are not just fighting for the staff of legislators, we are fighting to deepen the dividends of democracy for Nigerians.
“The essence of 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. This is because, the Houses of Assembly on their own dare not speak, because they are not autonomous body. This is the struggle we are”, Haruna said.