Legislative workers under the auspices of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Oyo State Chapter on Tuesday shut all the entrance gates of the State Assembly complex in compliance with the directive of the National leadership of the association.

The protest signals commencement of an indefinite strike by the workers and the total shut down of the legislative arm.

Correspondent Kunle Ojo reports that the protesting workers, dressed in their official uniform carried placards and sang solidarity songs to express their agitation against the continuous suppression of the legislative arm of government under the executive arm.

The protesting workers who assembled at the House of Assembly Complex entrance blocked the main entrance with about three vehicles while they sing and dance.

The situation forced a security readjustment at the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan as only one entrance gate was opened. It also led to initial stress for early birds into the secretariat complex as early as 7:30 AM.

Addressing the protesters, Oyo PASAN Chairman, Comrade Yemi Alade accused Nigeria’s Governors Forum for being behind the plot of non-implementation of the financial autonomy of the lawmakers.

Alade said the workers are fighting for the non-implementation of financial autonomy. 

He maintained that the bill has been passed since 2018 and in May 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari also capped it up with a Presidential Order 10 but has not been implemented.

In solidarity with the protesters, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin who arrived at the venue of the protest at about 11:30 AM said all the lawmakers had earlier been advised to stay away from the complex due to the protest and as such are not surprised.

He appreciates the workers for choosing to take up the fight in the interest of the independence of the legislative arms and deepening of the country’s democracy.