By Peter Omopo
The management of the National Assembly has issued a stern warning to parliamentary workers under the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) against carrying out their planned protest or picketing of the legislative complex as lawmakers prepare to resume plenary on Tuesday.
The caution came amid growing tension over unresolved welfare and constitutional issues raised by some disgruntled members of the union, who had threatened to disrupt legislative activities.
In a circular released on Sunday by the Secretary of Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, management directed all employees to disregard any calls for industrial action, including “work-to-rule” or “unlawful picketing,” warning that defiance would attract “severe disciplinary measures.”
“Membership of PASAN or any union is entirely voluntary,” the circular stated. “Any staff member dissatisfied with the conduct of union affairs may freely withdraw their membership in accordance with established rules.”
Essien further reassured workers of their safety within the National Assembly complex, urging them to perform their official duties without fear or intimidation. He emphasised that within seven months of assuming office, the current leadership had embarked on several administrative reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability, and staff morale.
“The management remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the overall well-being of staff,” he added.
Workers Allege Harassment, Unresolved Welfare Issues
The warning followed a letter dated October 3, 2025, addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly by a group of self-described “Concerned PASAN Members.” The petition, jointly signed by M.C. Odo, Yusuf Mohammed Abiola, and Chinenye Peace Nda, accused management of harassing and intimidating union members who demanded transparency and adherence to the PASAN Constitution of 2015.
According to the letter, some workers had been queried or threatened with suspension for insisting on the presentation of audited accounts and annual budgets as mandated by union rules. The petitioners also alleged that the management interfered in union affairs by recognising executive officers previously removed by Congress, describing the move as “a violation of due process and internal democracy.”
Beyond union matters, the group highlighted persistent welfare concerns, including:
- Correction of salary shortfalls and full remittance of statutory deductions such as tax, pension, and housing funds.
- Implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) and payment of outstanding allowances covering rent subsidy, leave, hazard, and medical benefits.
- Enforcement of the 40% consolidated peculiar allowance approved in 2023 for federal workers.
- Provision of official vehicles for directorate staff and staff buses for junior cadres.
- Implementation of the National Assembly Service Pension Board (Establishment) Act, 2023, alongside the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustments.
The concerned workers also demanded improved training opportunities and capacity development for staff, noting that such measures were crucial for institutional efficiency and legislative productivity.
Management Faces Crucial Test
As the National Assembly reconvenes on Tuesday, observers say how the management handles the grievances could determine whether normal legislative business proceeds smoothly or faces disruption at the heart of Nigeria’s lawmaking complex.
While the management insists that reforms are ongoing, union insiders suggest the stand-off could escalate if dialogue fails, potentially leading to industrial unrest within one of the country’s most sensitive federal institutions.
