Legislative aides in the ninth National Assembly have pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the withholding of their 15 months salaries by the management of the National Assembly.
They also called on other agencies including the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate the matter.
The aides also resolved to embark on fasting and praying for their salaries to be paid.
A statement released on Friday, signed by Sulaiman Abbas and Joseph Isah respectively, explained that: “The workers who left office in June 2023, were enrolled into the service of the National Assembly on May, 2021, after serving as Legislative Aides for two years, they were starved for 15 out of the 24 months of service.
“This affected staff who worked in the office of the Principal Officers of the 9th Assembly, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, the then President of the Senate, and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is otherwise the Chief of Staff to the President, numbering 280, said they made series of efforts legitimately to drive home the demand for payments of these Salary arrears but all the attempts made fell to deaf ear of the National Assembly Management.
“Arising from the meeting of the affected Staff of the 9th NASS, whose 15 months’ salaries have been withheld by the management since June, 2023 at the expiration of the 9th Assembly, held within the complex of the National Assembly on November 15 , 2023, affected staff are informed that Friday and Sunday, November 17 and 19, 2023 has been declared days of fasting and praying.
“This is connected with unpaid salaries and other allowances. We are to observe the fasting and praying in line with the beliefs and gather at noon to offer prayers. We believe that the owner of the universe will intervene.
“We have explored all available channels to seek payment of our salaries to no avail. And when you have someone who is mightier than you, inflicting pains and sorrows on you and your family, you have to leave the fight for God to intervene. Reason for these two days of fervent prayers.”
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Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
