The Plateau State House of Assembly has withdrawn the controversial bill seeking to provide life pensions for former members, principal officers and presiding officers of the assembly.
   
This followed widespread condemnation by the organised labour, civil society organisations and members of the public, who argued that the proposed legislation was ill-timed in view of the prevailing economic hardship and the plight of workers and pensioners in the state.
   
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had notified the assembly of their intent to picket and indefinitely occupy the complex, starting today, July 30, 2026, over the proposed Life Pension Bill for lawmakers.
   
The joint leadership had written to formally inform the leadership and members of the Plateau House of Assembly of their final resolution regarding the proposed bill.
   
According to the statement, the decision followed a joint emergency meeting held on July 28, 2026, organised by the NLC and its CSO allies.
   
Announcing the withdrawal of the bill in Jos yesterday, the Majority Leader and Chairman of the Joint Committee on Rules and Business, Finance and House Services, Joseph Gokum, said the lawmakers had listened to the concerns expressed by citizens and other critical stakeholders.
   
According to him, since the introduction of the bill, the Assembly had received submissions from the CSOs, labour unions and concerned Plateau citizens, whose views reflected the current economic realities and the people’s expectations.
   
“As representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure that every law we make promotes equity, fairness and the overall welfare of all Plateau citizens, especially workers and pensioners who have given years of service to the state.”
   
He explained that the joint committee unanimously resolved to withdraw the bill after due deliberations, saying the decision should not be interpreted as weakness but as evidence that the lawmakers respect democratic principles and public opinion.
   
The development came barely 24 hours after the organised labour, CSOs and other concerned citizens notified the lawmakers of a planned protest at the House of Assembly Complex demanding the immediate withdrawal of the bill.
   
The protesters described the proposed pension package for former lawmakers as insensitive, and coming when many workers and retirees were struggling with the burden of unpaid entitlements and economic hardship.
   
However, Gokum thanked the NLC, TUC, CSOs and other stakeholders for engaging the lawmakers peacefully and constructively on the issue, stating that their vigilance strengthens democracy.