By Sunmola Jemilat Oluwabunmi(SIWES student, AAPOLY)
Protesting workers from the Gombe State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria have closed down the Gombe State House of Assembly in alignment with the nationwide strike organized by the association.
Hundreds of PASAN members held placards with slogans advocating for legislative autonomy, asserting that it’s a right, not a privilege. They also voiced their solidarity through chants.
Speaking to the press at the main gate of the state assembly, Mohammed Dukku, the state chairman of the association, explained that this action was the only recourse as the Federal Government failed to adhere to section 121 (3a) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees legislative autonomy.
Dukku stated that the assembly would remain closed indefinitely, and all assembly staff would stay at home.
Aminu Aliyu, the state secretary of PASAN, emphasized that the closure of the state assembly was in accordance with the directives from the national body, a response to the Federal Government’s failure to implement financial autonomy for houses of assembly, a grant originally authorized by former President Muhammadu Buhari nationwide. Despite numerous meetings, this autonomy remains unimplemented.
Solomon Livinus, a member of the union and a staff member of the Assembly, expressed their support for the strike, confirming that they would continue to stay at home, even though negotiations were ongoing.
