Reps threaten sanctions against NILDS DG over primary

The House Committee on Legislative Library has threatened to recommend sanctions against the NILDS Director-General for allegedly participating in the Kwara APC governorship primary while in office.

The House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation has threatened to recommend sanctions against the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abubakar Sulaiman, over his alleged participation in the 2026 All Progressives Congress governorship primary election in Kwara State while still occupying his public office. The committee also accused Mr Sulaiman of disregarding the parliament after he failed to honour three invitations to appear before it.

Committee chairman Yusuf Galambi said the NILDS DG was invited to appear on 18 June, 24 July and 4 August but failed to attend any of the hearings. Galambi said: “We invited the DG of NILDS to appear before this honourable committee on the 18th of June; he refused to come. We gave him a second chance on the 24th of July; he did not honour the invitation, and today, 4th of August, he did not show up”. He added that the committee had resolved that the allegations against him stand.

Galambi cited the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, the Public Service Rules and the Electoral Act as part of the legal framework governing political activities by public office holders. He said the committee would still give Mr Sulaiman an opportunity to respond if he appeared before the report was finalised.

The winners: the House Committee, which is asserting its oversight authority; and the Nigerian public, who expect accountability. The losers: the NILDS DG, who faces potential sanctions; and the APC, which faces questions about its primary process.

Bottom Line: A public official faces sanctions for alleged political participation. The committee is demanding accountability.