Reps Launch Probe into NILDS DG Over Alleged Participation in APC Governorship Primary

The House of Representatives has directed an investigation into the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof.

Abubakar Sulaiman, following allegations that he engaged in partisan political activities while holding a sensitive public office.
The resolution was reached after lawmakers adopted a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Salisu Yusuf, a member representing Katsina State, alongside 12 other legislators during plenary on Thursday.
Presenting the motion, Yusuf alleged that Prof. Sulaiman participated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary process in Kwara State while serving as the head of NILDS.
He stated that information available in the public domain suggested that the NILDS Director-General purchased nomination forms, underwent party screening and contested in the primary election, where he reportedly polled 1,722 votes.
According to Yusuf, the allegations have raised concerns because NILDS is designed as a non-partisan institution tasked with providing research, policy support, legislative drafting assistance and capacity-building services to the National Assembly and other democratic institutions.
The lawmaker also informed the House that a petition from the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners accused Sulaiman of abuse of office and non-compliance with regulations guiding public officers seeking elective positions.
Yusuf argued that if the allegations are substantiated, they could amount to violations of rules governing the conduct of public servants involved in partisan political activities.
The motion further alleged that Sulaiman did not resign from office before entering the political contest, despite provisions contained in the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and a presidential directive requiring political appointees and public officials aspiring to elective offices to resign by March 31, 2026.
Lawmakers who supported the motion warned that failure to address the allegations could weaken discipline within the public service and diminish public confidence in institutions expected to remain neutral and independent of partisan interests.
They further maintained that allowing senior public officials to openly participate in party primaries while retaining their official positions could create a troubling precedent across government institutions and agencies.
Following deliberations, the House adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation to investigate the allegations and present its findings within one week.
The motion was approved through a voice vote presided over by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
The development comes amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several public office holders reportedly positioning themselves for elective offices across the country.
NILDS was established to strengthen legislative practice, democratic governance and public policy development. The institute supports the National Assembly through research, legislative drafting, policy analysis and training programmes.
Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading non-partisan institutions promoting democratic governance, NILDS plays a key role in strengthening legislative capacity and public policy processes.
As of the time this report was filed, Prof. Sulaiman had not issued any official response to the allegations.