Drama as Abia Lawmakers Break into Assembly Complex, PASAN Alleges Threat to Members’ Lives

There was mild drama on Tuesday, at the Abia State House of Assembly as some lawmakers defied the ongoing strike by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), broke the gate and forced their way into the Assembly Complex.

This is coming as the State PASAN Chairman, Kalu Sunday, has alleged that the lives of members of the association are now under threat following the incident.

Speaking to newsmen at the Assembly complex, Kalu noted that PASAN members fully complied with the national directive to embark on an indefinite strike and stay away from work.

According to him, the union was shocked when the lawmakers, led by the Deputy Speaker, Austin Okezie Mmeregini, in company of some members arrived with tools, demanding that the assembly be forced open.

“When we told them the security personnel with the keys were not present, they forcefully broke through the gate,” Kalu said.

“The issue escalated when we insisted that no PASAN member would be compelled to resume work because it is our right to strike. That was when intimidation began.

“They broke into the gate, insisting they must sit and have their budget breakdown session today. We have video evidence.”

The PASAN Chairman insisted that any legislative session held under the circumstances is illegal and outside normal house procedure, as there were no clerks, messengers, or official staff on duty, alleging that the lawmakers resorted to hiring a local generator to power the building and fix the patches on the assembly gate.

He explained that they embarked on the strike because of the government’s failure to implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) adding that, PASAN delayed full industrial action for two weeks after the government requested time to negotiate, regretting however the the two weeks had elapsed without any progress.

“We noticed that there was no commitment. Meetings kept getting postponed with no resolutions. Now, we have been told privately that the government is reluctant because approving ours may encourage other groups to demand their benefits.”

Efforts by The Eagle News to get the response of the Deputy Speaker and Chairman, House Committee on Information, Rt. Hon. Augustin Okezie Mmeregini, was unsuccessful.

He said he would only speak after an executive session, which they were having as at the then.

Meanwhile, journalists covering the incident were harassed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Hon. Luke Ukara, who allegedly insisted that media personnel had no right to enter the Assembly premises without authorization.