The House of Representatives has taken steps to preserve the political neutrality of public institutions and ensure compliance with constitutional provisions governing the participation of public officers in electoral processes.
As part of this effort, the House has announced plans to investigate a petition alleging that the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, engaged in partisan political activities while still holding public office.
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The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Mr Salisu Yusuf and 12 others, citing the need to preserve the political neutrality of public institutions and ensure compliance with constitutional provisions guiding public officers’ participation in electoral processes.
While leading debate on the motion, Mr. Yusuf alleged that Professor Sulaiman, while serving as head of the National Assembly’s research institute, participated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Kwara State.
He pointed out that documentary evidence in the public domain indicated that the NILDS Director General purchased nomination forms, took part in screening, and contested in the primaries, where he reportedly scored 1,722 votes.
The lawmaker referred to a petition submitted by the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, accusing the Director-General of abuse of office and failure to comply with relevant laws.
He expressed concern that Sulaiman did not resign from his position before participating in the political process, as required by the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and a presidential directive mandating resignation by March 31, 2026, for any public official seeking elective office.
He argued that failure to address the issue could set a “dangerous precedent” and undermine discipline within the public service, particularly in agencies under the National Assembly.
The House mandated its Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation to investigate the matter and report back within one week.
