Chairman of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyi, at the weekend, assured the National Executive Council of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) that his body was discussing with Nigeria Governors Forum for financial autonomy.

During a meeting with Mohammed Usman-led executive in Abuja, the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly said the parley was to discuss ways of averting a nationwide industrial action called by the association over non-implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures.

The indefinite strike had been slated for tomorrow.
Ogundoyin promised that the leadership would sustain discussion with PASAN hierarchy to address prevailing demands.

Usman, on his part, reminded the conference of a 21-day issued on September 18 for implementation of financial autonomy for state assemblies.

He said: “This is to remind you of the series of letters the union had written in the past, which culminated in the notice of 21 days ultimatum issued on Monday, September 18, 2023, to embark on a national strike if financial autonomy is not implemented at the state legislative houses as provided in the Constitution of the Federation.

“Note that the same letter has been written to the governors, Speakers, and Clerks of the 36 States Houses of Assembly of the federation accordingly.”

Recall that former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had assented to the bill, which gave financial independence to state houses of assembly and judiciary across the federation in May 2018.

He, however, signed an executive order granting them autonomy in 2020, following non-implementation by many states.

The new bill made it mandatory for each state to include allocations to its legislature and judiciary in its first-line charge of budget.