Reps Probe NILDS DG Over Alleged Participation In APC Primary

The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies(NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, over allegations of active participation in partisan politics while in office.

The probe followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on Thursday by a lawmaker from Katsina State, Salisu Yusuf, and 12 others.

The lawmakers in their motion argued that the development raises serious concerns about adherence to public service regulations and the political neutrality expected of officials occupying sensitive public offices.

Leading the debate on the motion during plenary, Yusuf told the House that Sulaiman allegedly participated in the All Progressives Congress governorship primary process in Kwara State while still occupying his position as Director-General of NILDS.

He said, “Evidence already in the public domain showed that the NILDS boss purchased nomination forms, underwent screening and contested in the primary election, where he reportedly secured 1,722 votes.”

The lawmaker said the development had “generated widespread concern, particularly given the strategic role of NILDS as a non-partisan institution established to provide research, policy support and capacity development for the National Assembly and other democratic institutions.”

He further informed the House that a petition submitted by the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners accused the NILDS Director-General of abuse of office and failure to comply with extant laws governing public officers

Yusuf argued that the allegations, “if proven, would amount to a violation of provisions regulating the conduct of public servants seeking elective political office.”

According to the motion, Sulaiman did not resign from office before joining the political contest, despite provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and a presidential directive requiring political appointees and public officials seeking elective positions to resign by March 31, 2026.

Lawmakers backing the motion warned that failure to address the issue could “weaken discipline within the public service and erode public confidence in institutions expected to operate above partisan interests.”

They cautioned that allowing senior public officials to openly participate in party primaries while retaining their positions would set a “dangerous precedent” for agencies and institutions under the National Assembly and across government.

Following the debate, the House adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation to investigate the allegations and report back within one week.

The motion was adopted after it was seconded and put to a voice vote at a session presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

The controversy touches on longstanding provisions in Nigeria’s public service framework designed to separate public administration from partisan politics

As DG of NILDS, Sulaiman heads an institution created to strengthen legislative practice, democratic governance and public policy development.

The institute serves the National Assembly through research, legislative drafting support, training programmes and policy analysis.

Because of its mandate, NILDS is widely regarded as one of the key non-partisan institutions supporting Nigeria’s democratic process.

The investigation is also coming amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several public office holders reportedly positioning themselves for elective offices across the country.