PASAN Issues Final Strike Warning as Nationwide Legislative Shutdown Looms

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has issued a final mobilization directive to all its chapters nationwide, signaling readiness for an indefinite strike as its 21-day ultimatum to state governors nears expiration.

The looming action threatens to paralyze legislative operations across all State Houses of Assembly.

The union’s decision follows a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Bauchi State on October 23, 2025, where it resolved to give State Governments a 21-day deadline, effective from October 24, to begin implementing the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) and financial autonomy for State Legislatures, as enshrined in Section 121(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

According to an official directive (Ref: PASAN/NS/SGO/01, dated November 12, 2025), the ultimatum is set to lapse on Friday, November 15, 2025. The National Secretariat expressed disappointment that despite “ample window for compliance, reports reaching the national secretariat indicate that most State Governments are yet to begin the implementation as directed.”

In a firm move toward enforcement, PASAN has instructed its zonal leaders to prepare for full-scale action. The directive, titled “Directive to Mobilize for Industrial Action,” ordered all National Vice Presidents to “immediately mobilize all Chapters within their respective zones for industrial action as soon as the ultimatum elapses. This action is to ensure full enforcement of the NEC resolution and to press home our demand for the implementation of CONLESS without further delay.”

In another correspondence to the Rt. Honourable Speakers (Ref: PASAN/NS/ADM/OF/22, dated November 13, 2025), PASAN formally notified them of the expiration of the ultimatum and its readiness for strike, lamenting that “the said ultimatum expired Friday, 14th November, 2025, without any concrete response or positive action from most State Governments.”

While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and peaceful engagement, the union declared: “While we continue to pursue our legitimate demands, all members are enjoined to remain resolute, law-abiding, and united in the struggle for justice and improved welfare. In solidarity.” However, PASAN warned that its members “can no longer continue under unfair and discriminatory treatment,” stressing that the continued neglect of its demands amounts to “institutional disregard for the legislative workforce.”

The union said it has also written to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (CSSLN), notifying them of the impending strike and urging their immediate intervention to avert a total shutdown of legislative activities nationwide.

The correspondence, dated November 13, 2025, and titled “Notification of Expiration of 21-Day Ultimatum and Readiness for Industrial Action,” was jointly signed by Comrade Mohammed Usman, National President of PASAN, and Comrade Agugbue Ugochi, Acting National Secretary. It was copied to key institutions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Clerks of State Houses of Assembly, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and major security agencies the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The letter emphasized that while PASAN remains committed to dialogue, “the patience of our members has been overstretched,” urging the Governors’ Forum to intervene collectively and prevail on State Governments to implement CONLESS “in the interest of industrial harmony and the effective functioning of State Legislatures.”

With the ultimatum’s deadline now just hours away, Nigeria’s legislative workforce stands on the brink of a nationwide shutdown. Unless urgent dialogue is initiated and decisive action is taken by the governors, the strike could bring legislative proceedings across the 36 States of the Federation to a complete halt.