A fresh labour dispute is brewing 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) over the posting of three parliamentary 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 to the Abia State House of Assembly Service Commission.

However, reacting to the development, the acting leadership of PASAN in the state said it was not consulted before the NLC took the decision and therefore dissociated itself from 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 any action that could trigger an industrial crisis within the Abia State House of Assembly.

The acting leadership explained that a congress of PASAN members was convened following the absence of some executives who proceeded on leave. During the meeting, the former Vice Chairman, Anthony Nwaobilor, was elected as acting chairman of the association.

PASAN stated that the emergence of the acting leadership was in line with the association’s constitution and should not be subject to 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 stated.

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

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

The NLC Chairman in the state, Okoro Ogbonnaya, condemned the posting of the three parliamentary staff, describing the action as unacceptable.

Ogbonnaya also criticised the acting PASAN executive for rejecting the ultimatum, alleging that the affected staff members had been actively advocating for the welfare and interests of PASAN members before their transfer from the House of Assembly.