The fragile peace in the Edo State House of Assembly was disrupted on Wednesday as workers of the Assembly protested against an alleged plan by the new leadership to repeal the financial autonomy law enacted during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The Assembly workers argued that repealing the law would lead to a reduction in their salaries and possible job losses.
The workers’ action was triggered by rumours that the new Majority Leader, Sunday Ojezele, had been scheduled to present a motion seeking the repeal of the law during Wednesday’s plenary.
To forestall a possible breakdown of law and order, security personnel were deployed to the Assembly complex.
The leadership of the Edo State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), led by Farouk Haruna, declined to comment on the issue.
When contacted for comments, the new Speaker, Yekini Idiaye, said the lawmakers had been in an executive session.
Idiaye said he was not aware of any protest or plan to repeal the law granting financial autonomy to the Assembly.