Abia faces industrial crisis amid clash between PASAN leadership and NLC over a 7‑day ultimatum

The acting leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) Abia State chapter has distanced itself from a 7‑day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to the Abia State House of Assembly Service Commission over the recent posting out of three staff members to other offices.

The posting of Abia PASAN Chairman Sunday Kalu and two colleagues, Ugochukwu Ucheka and Joseph Okwudiri, prompted the NLC to issue the ultimatum.

In response, the acting PASAN leadership in the state rejected the ultimatum, stating that the NLC had not consulted or obtained consent before issuing it.

Acting Chairman Anthony Nwaobilor and Public Relations Officer Loveday Adiele released a statement warning the NLC Abia State chapter against taking any action that could spark an industrial crisis in the Abia State House of Assembly.

According to the acting PASAN leadership, a congress was held to replace former staff of the Abia State House of Assembly who had gone on leave, during which former Vice Chairman Anthony Nwaobilor was elected acting Chairman.

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria stated that the election of the acting leadership was in accordance with its constitution and should not invite undue interference from the NLC State Council.

"The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) Abia State chapter shall resist any attempt by either the NLC, Abia State chapter or any other person/group to distort the peace and cause industrial disharmony in the Abia State House of Assembly," the association said.

The acting PASAN executive also announced the immediate suspension of the state treasurer, Nneoma Johnson, and directed her to hand over her duties to the Financial Secretary.

Nonetheless, the NLC Chairman for Abia State, Okoro Ogbonnaya, reaffirmed the 7‑day ultimatum to the Abia State House of Assembly Service Commission and condemned the posting out of the three parliamentary staff.

The NLC Chairman criticized the acting PASAN executive for rejecting the ultimatum, alleging that the three staff members had been steadfastly fighting for the general welfare of all PASAN members before being posted to other offices.