…accuses Lawmakers of not Speaking for Workers
Lawmakers of the 7th Abia House of Assembly have come under heavy criticism for prioritising plenary and their welfare over the welfare of Abia Parliamentary workers.
Recall that the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Abia State Chapter had been at loggerheads with the Abia State government over issues of financial autonomy and failure of the state government to implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).
The Association had embarked on countless industrial actions in a bid to press home their demand. In addition, several engagements have been held between the leadership of the Association and representative of the Abia State government, but no concrete agreement has been reached.
Before the presentation of the 2026 Budget last week, members of PASAN were said to be on strike over unresolved issues but the national body of PASAN intervened. Their intervention led to the suspension of the strike allowing Governor Alex Otti to present the Budget.
After the Budget presentation, and with the failure of the state government to fulfil her promise to the workers, PASAN embarked on another strike, locking the entrance to the Assembly and withdrawing all services rendered.
But on Tuesday, there were disturbing scenes from the Assembly. Footages on social media, which showed the lawmakers forcing their way into the Assembly complex.
The members were caught on video with the assistance of security agents, smashing the keys used to lock the Assembly forcing their way in to have their plenary.
Eyewitness told newsbuka that the Lawmakers rented generating set, jettisoning all services that should have been rendered by the Parliamentary workers.
Confirming the development while interacting with Journalists, the State PASAN Chairman, Kalu Sunday alleged that the lives of members of the association are now under threat following the incident and behaviour of the lawmakers.
Kalu told newsmen that PASAN members complied 100% with the national directive to embark on an indefinite strike and stay away from work.
He expressed shock that lawmakers, led by the Deputy Speaker, Austin Okezie Mmeregini, in company of some members arrived with tools, demanding that the assembly be forced open, accusing the lawmakers of not showing interest in the welfare of Assembly workers.
The PASAN Chairman emphasised that any legislative session held under the current circumstance is a nullity and a negation of the normal house procedure or rules.
He insisted that any sitting without the clerks at the table, messengers, or official staff on duty, cannot be counted as official, pointing out that the lawmakers hired a local generator to power the building and fix the patches on the assembly gate.
Kalu stated that they embarked on the strike because of government’s failure to implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).
He informed that even so, PASAN gave the government notices and suspended the industrial action for two weeks after the government requested time to negotiate, stating that the two weeks elapsed without any progress, hence the strike action.
Kanu stated their willingness to call off the strike action if the right thing is done, adding that they have been following all peaceful means in pressing their demand, assuring that they will remain peaceful.
Meanwhile, newsbuka reports that journalists covering the incident were harassed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Hon. Luke Ukara, who allegedly insisted that media personnel had no right to enter the Assembly premises without due authorisation.
