Protest Rocks National Assembly Over Non-Implementation Of Financial Autonomy For Assemblies

There was a mild drama on Tuesday when workers from the various
state Houses of Assembly under the auspices of the Parliamentary
Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) stormed the National Assembly
Complex in Abuja and drove away security operatives attached to the
building to demand full implementation of financial autonomy for
the state legislature.

The group also expressed dismay at the action of the Nigerian
Governors Forum (NGF) aimed at frustrating the implementation of
financial autonomy.

It was gathered that the protesters caught the security
operatives on duty unawares when they arrived at the building’s
main gate while chanting anti-government slogans.

The policemen and security personnel at the entrance were said
to have earlier prevented the mob from gaining access when they
were told that a representative of the Senate President and Speaker
was on his way to address them.

Sensing that the promise would not be fulfilled, the mob forced
their way in and drove away all the security operatives after
waiting for hours.

The protesters were said to have run out of patience and
resolved to put an end to condoning further delays in the
implementation of the financial autonomy for state Houses of
Assembly.

Commenting on the development, the group’s Zonal Vice President,
South-West, Adu-Peters Olusegun, said the protesters were at the
National Assembly to seek the audience with the leadership on the
need to speed up the implementation of the law.

He said: “We are talking of order 10 passed and signed by the
President of Federal Republic of Nigeria wherein among other
things, the independence of the legislative in terms of financial
autonomy where the houses of Assembly will not go cap in hands to
the governors to seek for financial favour or curry favour for that
matter.

“The fulcrum of democracy is legislative and for it to stand, we
must be able to defend it.”

The protesters blocked the second gate preventing human and
vehicular movement in and out of the building.

They also vowed to remain at the second gate until the Senate
President, Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Femi Gbajabiamila came out to address them.

There was a mild drama on Tuesday when workers from the various
state Houses of Assembly under the auspices of the Parliamentary
Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) stormed the National Assembly
Complex in Abuja and drove away security operatives attached to the
building to demand full implementation of financial autonomy for
the state legislature.

The group also expressed dismay at the action of the Nigerian
Governors Forum (NGF) aimed at frustrating the implementation of
financial autonomy.

It was gathered that the protesters caught the security
operatives on duty unawares when they arrived at the building’s
main gate while chanting anti-government slogans.

The policemen and security personnel at the entrance were said
to have earlier prevented the mob from gaining access when they
were told that a representative of the Senate President and Speaker
was on his way to address them.

Sensing that the promise would not be fulfilled, the mob forced
their way in and drove away all the security operatives after
waiting for hours.

The protesters were said to have run out of patience and
resolved to put an end to condoning further delays in the
implementation of the financial autonomy for state Houses of
Assembly.

Commenting on the development, the group’s Zonal Vice President,
South-West, Adu-Peters Olusegun, said the protesters were at the
National Assembly to seek the audience with the leadership on the
need to speed up the implementation of the law.

He said: “We are talking of order 10 passed and signed by the
President of Federal Republic of Nigeria wherein among other
things, the independence of the legislative in terms of financial
autonomy where the houses of Assembly will not go cap in hands to
the governors to seek for financial favour or curry favour for that
matter.

“The fulcrum of democracy is legislative and for it to stand, we
must be able to defend it.”

The protesters blocked the second gate preventing human and
vehicular movement in and out of the building.

They also vowed to remain at the second gate until the Senate
President, Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Femi Gbajabiamila came out to address them.