Edo Assembly Autonomy: NBA, Workers Kick Against Repeal Plan, Demand Status Quo

There was tension at the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday as workers and members of the Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) protested against a proposed move to repeal the financial autonomy laws for the state legislature and judiciary.

The protest disrupted plenary proceedings for several hours as the demonstrators expressed concerns that the proposed repeal could undermine the independence and effective functioning of the two arms of government.

The controversy followed the inclusion of two bills in the Order Paper for the August 19, 2026, sitting: “A Bill for a Law to Repeal the Edo State Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law, 2023” and “A Bill for a Law to Repeal the Edo State House of Assembly Funds Management Law, 2023.”

The financial autonomy laws were enacted in 2023 during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, with the aim of granting greater financial independence to the judiciary and legislature.

Following the appearance of the proposed repeal bills on the Order Paper, a large number of workers gathered at the Assembly to voice their opposition.

The protesters chanted slogans against the proposal, arguing that they had fought for the autonomy under the previous administration and had started benefiting from it since 2024.

They urged lawmakers to abandon any attempt to reverse the policy and vowed to continue opposing the move until the autonomy was protected.

The proposed legislation originated from an executive bill forwarded to the House by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

PASAN, NBA Reject Proposed Repeal

Chairman of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) in Edo State, Mallam Umar Faruk, criticised the proposed changes.

Faruk disclosed that Speaker of the House, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, had assured him that the legislature was not planning to completely repeal the laws but intended to amend them.

However, he noted that workers were still not enjoying full implementation of the financial autonomy arrangement.

Members of the Benin branch of the NBA also joined the protest, with the branch chairman, Idemudia Iredia Osifo, expressing strong opposition to the proposed repeal.

Osifo said the judiciary and legislature had enjoyed the benefits of autonomy since 2024 and argued that the policy should be maintained.

“We are strongly against the proposal by the House of Assembly to repeal the laws because, for the short time, we have felt the dividends of these two institutions,” he said.

According to him, the benefits of the autonomy were evident and should be sustained.

“The repeal would be too aggressive. We have not come here to make trouble. We have only come to sensitise members of the public because there is panic in public, to let them know that the NBA is interested in the outcome of this process that is about to be initiated by the House of Assembly,” Osifo added.

He stressed that the NBA did not support any attempt to withdraw the financial autonomy of the judiciary and legislature.

NBA Describes Move As Retrogressive

Former Chairman of the NBA, Benin branch, Barrister Ede Asenoguan, also condemned the proposal, describing it as a step backwards.

Asenoguan argued that financial autonomy was essential to maintaining the independence of the three arms of government.

“Financial autonomy is a constitutional matter. The Constitution has made it clear that these three arms of government, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, are separate and independent,” he said.

He recalled that the Edo State House of Assembly passed legislation in 2023 granting financial autonomy to the legislature and judiciary, describing the development as the result of a long-standing struggle.

He therefore described any attempt to reverse the policy as unacceptable and contrary to the interests of the state.

Asenoguan also raised concerns over funding for the judiciary, alleging that its allocation for capital projects had been reduced significantly.

According to him, the judiciary received about ₦6 billion for capital projects in the previous year, but the allocation was reportedly reduced to ₦300 million in 2026.

He argued that inadequate funding could leave the judiciary dependent on the executive for basic operational needs.

Asenoguan also criticised the newly appointed Speaker, saying he was disappointed that Idaiye would preside over any process that could undermine workers’ interests.

Speaker Clarifies Assembly’s Position

Addressing the protesters, Speaker Hon. Yekini Idaiye rejected claims that the Assembly was seeking to completely repeal the financial autonomy laws.

He explained that the House was instead considering amendments, particularly to the capital component of the legislation, while leaving the expenditure aspect unchanged.

Idaiye also warned that a complete repeal of the law could have consequences for lawmakers themselves.

The Speaker assured the workers that the Assembly would not take any action that could negatively affect their welfare.

Following the protest, the House subsequently changed the proposed legislation from a repeal bill to an amendment bill.