A fresh labour dispute is developing in Abia State as the acting leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Abia State chapter, has rejected a seven-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to the Abia State House of Assembly Service Commission over the posting of three staff members to other offices.

The affected staff members include the Abia PASAN Chairman, Sunday Kalu, and two of his colleagues, Ugochukwu Ucheka and Joseph Okwudiri. Their transfer had prompted the NLC to issue the ultimatum demanding action from the Assembly Service Commission.

However, reacting to the development, the acting PASAN leadership said the NLC did not consult the association or obtain its approval before issuing the ultimatum.

In a statement signed by the acting PASAN Chairman, Anthony Nwaobilor, and the Public Relations Officer, Loveday Adiele, the association warned the NLC against taking any action that could trigger an industrial crisis within the Abia State House of Assembly.

The acting leadership explained that a congress of the association was convened to fill the leadership vacuum created after some executives proceeded on leave. During the meeting, the former Vice Chairman, Anthony Nwaobilor, was elected as the acting Chairman.

PASAN maintained that the emergence of the acting leadership was in accordance with the association’s constitution and should not be subjected to what it described as unnecessary 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 or group to distort the peace and cause industrial disharmony in the Abia State House of Assembly,” the association stated.

The acting PASAN executive also announced the immediate suspension of the association’s Treasurer, Nneoma Johnson, directing her to hand over her responsibilities to the Financial Secretary.

Meanwhile, the Abia State chapter of the NLC has reaffirmed its seven-day ultimatum to the Abia State House of Assembly Service Commission.

NLC Chairman, Okoro Ogbonnaya, condemned the posting of the three parliamentary staff and criticised the acting PASAN leadership for rejecting the ultimatum.

Ogbonnaya alleged that the affected staff members were transferred because they had been strongly advocating for the welfare and interests of PASAN members before their posting to other offices.

The NLC chairman maintained that the union’s position was aimed at protecting the interests of parliamentary workers and ensuring fairness in the matter.