A crisis has reportedly ensued in Oyo state, as lawmakers strike indefinitely, demanding their unpaid allowances from Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The intensity of the strike led to the postponement of the State House of Assembly’s sitting on Thursday, November 26.
According to The Nation, furniture and car allowances, two months running cost for the Assembly are owed the legislators.
A lawmaker who spoke under conditions of anonymity, said they last received salary in August.
While speaking with journalists, the lawmaker said they took the ‘no allowance, no sitting’ decision after all entreaties to have the matter peacefully resolved failed.
He said: “During the last Assembly, during Governor Ajimobi’s first term, all the lawmakers were bought cars. They were also paid furniture allowance. The running cost of the House was also paid regularly. These allowances are statutory. We understand that crash in the price of crude oil has brought the economy to its knees.
“The consequent drop in revenue affects all the 36 states as well as the federal government. But in spite of this dire situation, all other governors have sorted out the allowances of their Houses of Assembly. Only those of us who are lawmakers in Oyo state are left languishing throughout the country.”
“Last week, we boycotted sitting to protest lack of concern for our welfare. Without the running cost, the Assembly cannot function.
The running cost for the office of the governor is paid regularly. Why is the House left out?,” the unnamed lawmaker added.
More tension tends to be brewing in Oyo state as farmers and Fulani herdsmen are allegedly on the verged of a clash, following a peace protest over the continued invasion and destruction of farmlands by herdsmen.
The intensity of the strike led to the postponement of the State House of Assembly’s sitting on Thursday, November 26.
According to The Nation, furniture and car allowances, two months running cost for the Assembly are owed the legislators.
A lawmaker who spoke under conditions of anonymity, said they last received salary in August.
While speaking with journalists, the lawmaker said they took the ‘no allowance, no sitting’ decision after all entreaties to have the matter peacefully resolved failed.
He said: “During the last Assembly, during Governor Ajimobi’s first term, all the lawmakers were bought cars. They were also paid furniture allowance. The running cost of the House was also paid regularly. These allowances are statutory. We understand that crash in the price of crude oil has brought the economy to its knees.
“The consequent drop in revenue affects all the 36 states as well as the federal government. But in spite of this dire situation, all other governors have sorted out the allowances of their Houses of Assembly. Only those of us who are lawmakers in Oyo state are left languishing throughout the country.”
“Last week, we boycotted sitting to protest lack of concern for our welfare. Without the running cost, the Assembly cannot function.
The running cost for the office of the governor is paid regularly. Why is the House left out?,” the unnamed lawmaker added.
More tension tends to be brewing in Oyo state as farmers and Fulani herdsmen are allegedly on the verged of a clash, following a peace protest over the continued invasion and destruction of farmlands by herdsmen.
