NLC Storms Abia Assembly Over PASAN Intimidation

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) launched a major protest at the Abia State House of Assembly in Umuahia on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, to confront lawmakers over the alleged harassment and intimidation of parliamentary staff. The intervention, led by the Abia State NLC Chairman, Okoro Ogbonnaya, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing industrial dispute involving members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), who have been on strike for several weeks.

Union leaders expressed outrage over reports that legislators forcibly bypassed a strike-related lockdown of the Assembly complex last week. The NLC specifically condemned the actions of certain lawmakers who reportedly used hammers and other metal objects to destroy the chains and padlocks used by workers to secure the gates. Ogbonnaya described these actions as “unbecoming of lawmakers” and a direct violation of the legitimate right of workers to engage in industrial action. In a firm demand for accountability, the NLC insisted that the House of Assembly must provide financial compensation for the property destroyed during the forced entry.

The primary cause of the underlying tension is the long-delayed implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) and the demand for full financial autonomy for the state legislature. PASAN members, supported by the state NLC, have accused the Abia State government and the legislative leadership of ignoring their welfare while maintaining an expensive lifestyle. During the protest, Ogbonnaya noted that the national office of the NLC is fully briefed on the “threatening environment” created for its members, emphasizing that the union would not stand idly by while its affiliates are intimidated.

Responding to the charged atmosphere, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, addressed the protesting workers and union leaders. While acknowledging the legitimacy of their grievances, the Speaker urged for patience as negotiations continue. He offered a cautiously optimistic timeline, assuring the union that the ongoing deliberations between the executive and the legislature would “certainly yield positive results by 2026.”

This timeline, however, appears to be a sticking point for organized labor. While the Speaker looked toward 2026, the NLC Chairman made it clear that the union expects the new salary structure to be reflected in the workers’ paychecks as early as January 2026. The Abia State PASAN Chairman, Sunday Ndukwe, and the National Vice Chairman, Chijioke Onwukwe, reinforced this stance, stating that the staff are eagerly awaiting the formal conclusion of negotiations to ensure they receive their due wages after years of stagnation. The Assembly remains a focal point of tension as both sides wait to see if the proposed 2026 implementation date will be enough to restore industrial harmony.