Bauchi Assembly Shuts Down as PASAN Strike Demands Full Financial Autonomy

Legislative activities at the Bauchi State House of Assembly have come to a halt after members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) joined a nationwide strike pushing for full financial autonomy for state legislatures.

The walkout, which took effect on Friday, followed directives from PASAN’s national leadership, signalling a renewed push to compel the Federal Government to enforce the Financial Autonomy Act—an important reform advocates say is critical for strengthening parliamentary independence.

Speaking in Bauchi, the state chairman of the association, Adamu Yusuf, said the decision to join the industrial action reflects the collective frustration of parliamentary workers across the country who believe that government has repeatedly failed to honour its own law.

“PASAN has embarked on various strikes in the past to push for the enforcement of the law, but the Federal Government is yet to fully implement it,” he said.

Yusuf explained that the latest shutdown comes after several attempts at dialogue and negotiation with relevant agencies yielded no meaningful progress. According to him, workers resorted to the strike only after all peaceful channels were exhausted.

Despite the shutdown, Yusuf praised Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for supporting financial autonomy at the state level, describing it as a move that aligns with national demands for stronger, independent legislatures.

The strike has left the Assembly complex in near-total inactivity, with staff offices locked and legislative business suspended indefinitely.