The Gombe State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, on Tuesday shut down the State House of Assembly.
It was gathered that this is in line with the association’s nationwide strike.
Hundreds of PASAN members chanted solidarity songs and waved signs bearing various pro-autonomy slogans, such as “Autonomy is the right of the Assembly, not a privilege.”
“The measure is the only option considering the fact that the Federal Government failed to obey section 121 (3a) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which pave the way for the legislative autonomy,” association chairman Mohammed Dukku told reporters as he gave a press conference at the State assembly’s main gate.
Dukku announced that all assembly employees would stay at home and that the assembly would remain closed indefinitely.
Also speaking, the State secretary of PASAN, Aminu Aliyu, added that the closure of the assembly is in line with the directives given by the national body in response to the failure of the Federal Government to implement the financial autonomy granted to the houses of assembly.
“This autonomy was granted by former President Muhammadu Buhari nationwide. Despite several meetings, it has not been implemented”, Aliyu added.
Also, a member of the union and a staff member of the Assembly, Solomon Livinus noted that they support the strike, “even though negotiations are ongoing, but they would remain at home”.
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