‘There’ll be punishments’ — NASS warns against picketing complex

he management of the National Assembly has issued a stern warning against the planned picketing of its complex by some aggrieved workers, saying such is capable of disrupting legislative activities.

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, National Assembly chapter
had notified the management of plans to picket the complex over allegations of fraud, unpaid allowances and interference in union activities.

Issuing the warning in a circular signed by its secretary of human resources and staff development, Essien Eyo Essien, the National Assembly management alleged that one Odo Chris, a grade level 13 officer in the senate, and Abiola Yusuf Mohammed, a grade level 9 officer in the human resources directorate, were mobilising staff under the guise of “Concerned PASAN Members” to cause unrest.

The circular claimed that the workers are working with individuals within and outside the legislature to instigate industrial action capable of threatening national security.

“Security reports at our disposal disclose that these persons are mobilising and inciting staff to engage in an unlawful action termed ‘picketing’.

“If this plan is carried out, it is capable of disrupting legislative activities, which in our opinion constitutes a threat to national security,” the circular stated

According to the management, the agitation is aimed at compelling it to disband the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, National Assembly chapter, accusing the group of “deliberate attempts to destabilise internal harmony”.

It stated that all efforts to resolve the matter amicably had been rebuffed, noting that previous mediation attempts by the registrar of trade unions and the minister of labour were disrupted by the same individuals.

According to the circular, the national assembly management said the group has authored several “frivolous petitions” alleging mismanagement of union funds and other unsubstantiated claims, including a petition with “unverified signatures” submitted to both chambers of the National Assembly.