The House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation has begun moves to sanction the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, for allegedly participating in the 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Kwara State without resigning from office.

The committee also faulted Sulaiman for repeatedly failing to honour its invitations, describing his absence as disrespect for parliament and warning that it would conclude its investigation and forward its recommendations to the House.

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Galambi, disclosed this during an investigative hearing on preserving the political neutrality of public institutions and ensuring compliance with constitutional and administrative requirements by public office holders in electoral contests.

Galambi said that despite being invited on three occasions, Sulaiman failed to appear before the panel to respond to the allegations, even as petitioners consistently appeared before the panel to present evidence.

“Our committee believes that if allegations are levelled against someone and he is allowed to defend himself, and he refuses, it means he has something to hide,” Galambi said.

“So, following his refusal to appear before the committee, we have resolved that the allegations against him stand. We are going to write our recommendations to the House, and the allegations stand.”

Nevertheless, he added that while the committee would proceed with its report, Sulaiman would still be allowed to defend himself if he appeared before the recommendations are finalised.

Earlier, Galambi explained that the investigation stemmed from a petition adopted by the House on June 4, 2026, alleging that the NILDS director-general participated in the APC governorship primary in Kwara State while still occupying public office.

According to Galambi, the petition also accused Sulaiman of using government facilities, vehicles and personnel for partisan political activities and failing to resign or take leave before participating in political campaigns.