● Governing Council to probe claims of political activity while heading federal institute
The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, is facing growing scrutiny over reported participation in the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primary process in Kwara State while serving as head of the federal legislative research institution.
The controversy comes as NILDS’ Governing Council is scheduled to meet Thursday to consider allegations that the DG may have breached constitutional, statutory and administrative provisions regulating political participation by public office holders.
Sources said the council will review claims that Prof Sulaiman engaged in partisan political activities contrary to rules barring senior public officials from active party processes while in office.
NILDS, established by an Act of the National Assembly, is mandated to provide research and training support for Nigeria’s legislature. The institute is expected to maintain institutional neutrality.
The matter has also reached the National Assembly through a motion of urgent public importance. Lawmakers sponsoring the motion are seeking to reinforce political neutrality in public institutions and ensure strict adherence to existing laws governing the political aspirations of senior government officials.
The Public Service Rules and the 1999 Constitution bar certain categories of public officers from partisan political activities, except where specifically permitted.
The Governing Council’s Thursday meeting is expected to determine the next steps, including whether further disciplinary or investigative action will be taken against the DG.
