In the early hours of Tuesday, the staff of the Anambra State House of Assembly barricaded the legislative complex, preventing lawmakers from conducting their scheduled plenary sessions.
The action was part of a nationwide protest organized by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) in pursuit of financial autonomy for the legislative arm of government.
As early as 7 a.m., a crowd of protesters gathered at the assembly complex’s gate, effectively sealing it off and denying entry to workers, lawmakers, and other authorized personnel.
The protesters remained resolute in their mission to advocate for financial independence for the legislative branch of government.
The Chairman of PASAN’s Anambra State branch, Abraham Okoye, clarified the purpose of the protest, stating, “The protest is not intended to target any specific state government but is aimed at emphasizing our demand for complete financial autonomy for the legislative arm.”
Amid the ongoing demonstration, PASAN executives, key assembly officers, and representatives of the executive branch of government convened a closed-door meeting to address the pressing issues.
The standoff between the assembly staff and lawmakers underscored the urgency of finding a resolution to the financial autonomy dispute, potentially shaping the future of legislative affairs in Anambra State.