Edo State Workers Lock Out Lawmakers Over Autonomy Bill

Workers at the Edo State House of Assembly locked out lawmakers on August 19, 2026, to protest a proposed bill that would repeal a 2023 law granting the legislature financial autonomy. The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria organized the demonstration after reports surfaced that Majority Leader Sunny Ojezele intended to present a motion to repeal the autonomy law during a plenary session.

Protesters argued that returning financial control to the state executive would undermine legislative independence and likely result in job losses and salary reductions. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the bill to protect the existing financial structure of the assembly.

Speaker Yekini Idiaye responded to the unrest by stating he was unaware of the protest or any plans to repeal the autonomy law. He noted that lawmakers had been in an executive session during the events.