By Bushrah Adeshina, Ibadan
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, (PASAN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on state governors to respect the position of the law on financial autonomy for state legislatures as stipulated in the Constitution so as to avert another strike which could cripple Legislative activities across the nation.
The Zonal Vice President of PASAN South West, Prince Adele Adewale Taofeek made the call on Thursday at a press briefing held in Ibadan on Thursday by the South West Zonal Executive Council of the association.
The briefing was aimed at appraising the state of the union while availing the general public their position on the quest for financial autonomy for State Legislatures.
The Zonal Vice President vowed that the association will stand firm to vehemently resist any attempt to subvert the quest for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy.
“We respectfully call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to prevail on the State Governors to respect the position of the law on financial autonomy for State Legislatures as stipulated in the Constitution.”
He said the industrial action which lasted for three weeks was suspended following a jointly signed MOU by the Chairmen of the Conference of the Speakers and Nigeria Governors Forum, with high expectations that the legislative financial autonomy for the state legislatures would take effect across the country by 28th February, 2024.
Adele pointed out that the suspension of the industrial action then was in view of the confidence the association reposed in the negotiators and also in consideration of the essential roles of the Legislative Arm in the budget process as states prepare for year 2024 budget estimates.
“The MOU partly read that PASAN is at liberty to resume its strike if the governors renege on the agreement to implement legislative financial autonomy after the expiration of the ultimatum.
”It is disheartening to note that despite the luxury of time provided by the MOU, legislative financial autonomy for the state legislature is yet to be granted by the Governors.”
He said the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria South West Zone sincerely commend the Governor of Benue State Rev. Hycathin Alia who recently assented the legislative fund management law.
Adele also noted that the ultimatum given for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy has expired according to the signed agreement with no positive response from the State Governors except for Benue state.
“The association considers the non-compliance of the Nigeria Governors Forum with the MOU as a breach of trust and a grave violation of section 121 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“We are optimistic that the implementation of full legislative financial autonomy will strengthen the State Houses of Assembly Service Commission, enhance the career progression of the legislative staff and also resolve issues like non-remittance of legislative staff monthly deductions like cooperative and pension deductions, non-payment of legislative staff wardrobe allowance, non-implementation of CONLESS as well as other germane issues bothering on the welfare of the Parliamentary Staffers across the federation.
“To avert another strike which could cripple Legislative, across the nation at this critical economic period, we respectfully call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to prevail on the State Governors to respect the position of the law on financial autonomy for State Legislatures as stipulated in the Constitution.
“While we are awaiting further directive from the national secretariat of our union on the next line of action, it is pertinent to state that members of the Zonal Executive Council (ZEC )of PASAN South West will stand firm to vehemently resist any attempt to subvert the quest for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy.”