Gombe PASAN denies Speaker, others entry to the house
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), on Monday declined Gombe State Speaker, others entry to the State House of Assembly.
Abubakar Luggerewo, Speaker of the house was prevented by the protesting Workers as they rebuffed attempts made by him.
Our correspondent observed that plea made by the speaker to address their grievances failed to assuage the grieving union.
Speaking on behalf of PASAN, state chairman, Mohammed Dukku lamented the interference of Nigeria Governor’s Forum, adding that their actions can be best described as unfortunate.
According to him, “This is following the refusal of the state government to implement financial autonomy for the legislature, as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.
“After exhausting all avenues to get to the government to obey the provisions of the constitution and not getting response, the PASAN leadership has directed us to go on indefinite strike.”
While explaining why the union refused to allow the speaker entry to the assembly, the chairman revealed that it was geared towards drawing the attention of the leadership to their request.
“We came out enmass to protest to lockdown Gombe state house of Assembly no autonomy, no work. If the autonomy is not implemented the gate will remain shot. As you can see this morning even Mr Speaker was here we denied him entry. We told the speaker, that no financial autonomy, no work. Our strike action will cripple the activities of the state because there is no way the society can do without the assembly. The legislature is the ingredient of governance. The governors ordinarily should not be above the constitution, we respect them because of the constitution. You can operate democracy without separation of power.
“The action of the president is good but the governors are the problem and it unfortunate. Legislature makes democracy thick We can’t allow a group of individuals, cabals to scuttle this. The governors can’t be above the constitution. We are calling on the governor’s forum to give room for our financial autonomy,” Dukku added.
