Planned protest: N/Assembly warns aggrieved staff against disrupting plenary

The management of the National Assembly has warned aggrieved parliamentary workers against any move to stage a protest or disrupt plenary on Tuesday over welfare demands. Daily Trust reports that Senators and members of the House of Representatives would resume plenary on Tuesday after their annual recess which started on July 23, 2025. But there […]

The management of the National Assembly has warned aggrieved parliamentary workers against any move to stage a protest or disrupt plenary on Tuesday over welfare demands.

Daily Trust reports that Senators and members of the House of Representatives would resume plenary on Tuesday after their annual recess which started on July 23, 2025.

But there are threats by some members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) to embark on protest over alleged unresolved welfare and constitutional issues affecting them.

However, a circular by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, warned that any attempt to disrupt legislative activities would be met with severe disciplinary measures.

• We’re Committed to Producing People-Driven Constitution – Reps C’ttee
• Tinubu returns to Abuja after 10-day working visit to Lagos

“It must be emphasised that membership of PASAN or any union is entirely voluntary. Any staff member, whether an executive or regular member, who is dissatisfied with the conduct of union affairs may freely withdraw their membership in accordance with established rules.

“In light of recent developments, the Management hereby instructs all staff to ignore any calls for industrial action, including ‘work-to-rule’ or ‘unlawful picketing.’

“Your safety and security within the National Assembly Complex are assured, and we urge you to proceed with your official duties without any fear or intimidation,” the circular read in parts.

He directed the self-styled Concerned PASAN Members to desist from their planned protest, saying any defiance would lead to severe disciplinary action.

The circular explained that within seven months of assuming office, the current management had embarked on several administrative reforms aimed at improving efficiency and boosting staff morale.

“Finally, the management remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the overall well-being of staff,” it added.

 

How it started

Some Concerned PASAN Members had in a letter dated October 3, 2025, and addressed to the Clerk to the National Assembly, accused the management of harassment and intimidating its union members demanding transparency and adherence to the PASAN Constitution (2015).

The petition, jointly signed by M.C. Odo, Yusuf Mohammed Abiola, and Chinenye Peace Nda, alleged that workers were being queried and threatened with suspension for insisting on the presentation of audited accounts to the congress as required by the union’s constitution.

In the petition, they also accused the National Assembly management of neglecting long-standing welfare issues, including correction of salary shortfalls, remittance of statutory deductions (tax, pension, and housing fund), full implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure, and payment of allowances covering rent subsidy, leave, hazard, and medicals.

They demanded the implementation of the 40% consolidated peculiar allowance approved in 2023 for federal workers, provision of official vehicles for directorate staff, staff buses for junior cadres, and training templates for capacity development.

Other demands included the implementation of the National Assembly Service Pension Board (Establishment) Act, 2023, and the immediate application of the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustments.

They cited constitutional provisions mandating union executives to prepare annual budgets, circulate audited accounts and balance sheets, and ensure compliance with statutory financial obligations, arguing that management’s interference undermines internal democracy and accountability.

The group also criticised the recognition of executive officers earlier removed by Congress, describing the move as “a violation of due process and the union’s internal democracy.”