Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, Osun State chapter have put the Osun State House of Assembly Complex, Abere under lock and key.
The Osun PASAN members took this action in compliance with the directive from its national body to protest the refusal of the state government to grant financial autonomy to the state legislature.
The Osun PASAN chairman, Akeem Adesina who led other executives of the association to address journalists on Tuesday at the Assembly Complex, maintained that the protest was in strict compliance with the PASAN national Secretariat.
“Osun State Government has acceded to 90 percent of the chapter’s demands but we frown at the position of some state governments across the nation on the financial autonomy of the State Houses of Assembly.
“The issue at hand is a constitutional matter which must be dealt with accordingly.”
He urged members to comply with the directive to foster the development of state legislatures.
In his address to journalists, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Adekunle Oladimeji said the issue was not limited to Osun State.
Oladimeji confirmed that the Speaker of the House, Adewale Egbedun had met the PASAN executives on the issue.
“Financial autonomy would further strengthen the activities of the legislative arm of government to serve as checks to other arms of government.”
Corroborating Oladimeji, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, said the legislators were in support of the action by Osun PASAN.
“The administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke and the leadership of the 8th Assembly of Osun State remained committed to workers’ welfare,” he stressed.
Financial Autonomy: Osun Assembly workers down tools in solidarity with PASAN