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The Edo State House of Assembly has been closed by members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.
This action comes after the ultimatum for the implementation of financial autonomy in legislative houses in the country expired.
The protest, which took place in front of the Assembly, has prevented lawmakers from entering the chamber.
Umaru Farouk Haruna, Chairman of PASAN Edo state Chapter, stated that the nationwide strike has been instructed by the national president of PASAN, Comrade Mohammed Usman, who called for all chairmen and secretaries to rally members for maximum compliance.
Haruna also explained that PASAN members in Edo State are participating in the peaceful protest after the two-day ultimatum given to the government and governors of the 36 states to implement autonomy in all legislative houses. The deadline was extended by one week and ended on October 27, 2023.
He said, “Autonomy is a constitutional matter. It has been passed by the National Assembly and was signed by the previous president, Muhammadu Buhari.
“We are only requesting that the government begins implementation. However, as of today, nothing has been done. The 36 states’ Houses of Assembly can be called rubber stamps because they lack autonomy. They can’t make their own decisions. Our fight is not just for the staff; it’s to enhance democracy for all Nigerians.
“Separation of powers is only effective when autonomy is in place. But currently, governors are doing as they please, and no one is holding them accountable. The Houses of Assembly cannot speak out because they are not autonomous bodies. This is the struggle we are engaged in,” he added.