Tension gripped the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday as workers and other concerned persons protested a bill seeking to repeal the 2023 law granting financial autonomy to the state legislature.
The protesters reportedly occupied the Assembly premises and prevented lawmakers from accessing the complex, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposed legislation.
The bill, reportedly sponsored by the new Majority Leader of the House, Sunny Ojezele, seeks to repeal the existing law that gives the Assembly greater control over its finances.
The workers argued that returning control of the legislature’s finances to the executive would weaken the independence of the Assembly and expose workers to uncertainty over their salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
They expressed concern that the proposed repeal could lead to cuts in salaries and allowances and potentially affect job security within the Assembly.
The protesters said the financial autonomy arrangement had provided a more stable framework for the payment of workers’ entitlements while shielding the legislature from excessive executive control.
They urged Ojezele and other lawmakers to withdraw the bill and engage Assembly workers before taking any decision that could affect their welfare and conditions of service.
The demonstration reportedly created a tense atmosphere within the Assembly complex, with workers and other concerned individuals gathering in groups to register their opposition to the proposed legislation.
The development has also renewed concerns over the financial independence of state legislatures and the extent to which state executives should exercise control over the finances of the legislative arm of government.
The protesters maintained that restoring executive control over Assembly finances could make lawmakers and employees vulnerable to political and administrative decisions outside the legislature.
They therefore appealed to the leadership of the House to reconsider the proposed repeal and protect the financial and institutional independence of the Assembly.
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