Gombe Assembly Shut Down By Protesting Workers

The Gombe State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria shuts down the state House of Assembly.

We gathered on Tuesday that this complies with the nationwide strike by the association.

Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN),  in  a  large number, were seen carrying placards with different slogans on autonomy, which included that it’s the right of the Assembly, not a privilege, and chanted solidarity songs.

While Briefing newsmen at the main gate of the state assembly, the state chairman of the association, Mohammed Dukku, said “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.”

Dukku, while speaking said that the assembly would remain closed indefinitely while all staff of the assembly would remain at home.

He added, that the state secretary of PASAN, Aminu Aliyu, added that the closure of the state 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,” he added.

Also, a member of the union and a staff member of the Assembly, Solomon Livinus, said they support the strike, “even though negotiations are ongoing, but they would remain at home,” Livinus added.