Members of the Oyo state house of assembly have embarked on a strike action over the failure of the state government to pay allowances owed the lawmakers.
The lawmakers, presently owed their furniture, car allowances and two months running cost, refused to hold scheduled sitting on Thursday.
An aggrieved lawmaker spoke on the condition of anonymity.
"We understand that the 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 state houses of assembly. Throughout the country, only those of us who are lawmakers in Oyo State are left languishing.
"During the last Assembly, in Governor Ajimobi's first term, cars were bought for all the lawmakers. They were also paid furniture allowances. The running cost of the House was also paid regularly. These allowances are statutory," he said.
He also hinted that the House did not sit last week as a result of the accrued allowances.
"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 lawmaker said.
The refusal of the lawmakers to sit over unpaid allowances questions the claim by many elected officials that they are in office for service and sacrifice.
Story: The Nation
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