PHOTOS: Workers picket n’assembly over financial autonomy for state assemblies

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) on Tuesday protested at the national assembly over the non-implementation of financial autonomy for state assemblies.

The demonstration comes after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to President Muhammadu Buhari by the association.

The protesters, stationed at the entrance of the national assembly, held banners calling on lawmakers and the federal government to ensure that financial autonomy is implemented.

Speaking with reporters, Mohammed Usman, PASAN president, wondered why financial autonomy for the state assemblies has not been implemented.

In May, Buhari signed an executive order granting financial autonomy to the legislature and judiciary across the 36 states of the country.

However, the president suspended the gazetting of the order after meeting with governors in June.

Usman accused the governors of preventing the financial autonomy of state assemblies, adding that their demonstration is to ensure that democracy is deepened in the country.

In its notice last month, PASAN had said it could no longer condone any delay in the implementation of its demand.

“By implication, the nationwide strike shall see the shutdown of [the] National Assembly, the National Assembly Service Commissions, all State Houses of Assembly, all State Houses of Assembly Service Commissions among others,” it had said.