The House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation on Thursday suspended its investigative hearing into allegations against the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Suleiman Abubakar, after petitioners failed to provide convincing evidence to support their claims.
The committee ordered the petitioners to return with substantial documentary proof that the NILDS boss participated in a governorship primary election without first resigning his appointment, as allegedly required by law and civil service regulations.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Yusuf Galambi, issued the directive during the hearing in Abuja, stressing that the panel could not proceed on the basis of unverified allegations.
“The committee is unable to proceed in the absence of credible and verifiable evidence to substantiate the allegations before us,” Galambi declared.
He urged the petitioners to provide records from the political party involved, nomination and expression of interest forms, as well as any other documentary evidence directly linking the Director-General to the alleged primary election.
The probe followed a motion adopted by the House of Representatives seeking to ensure compliance with constitutional and administrative rules governing public officers’ participation in partisan politics.
Despite the suspension, Galambi maintained that the investigation remains active and that the committee would invite Prof. Abubakar again once the requested evidence is submitted.
He also emphasized that the panel’s work would not be stalled by the Director-General’s absence, noting that a formal invitation had already been extended to him.
Earlier, committee member Hon. Harrison Anozie expressed displeasure over Prof. Abubakar’s failure to honour the invitation.
“In the matter referred to this committee, we have extended invitations to all parties, especially the DG, who has been alleged to have participated in a political process without resigning his appointment as required by the Constitution and the directive of Mr President,” Anozie said.
He insisted that adequate notice had been served on the NILDS boss and that sufficient time was given for him to appear and defend himself.
“He ought to be here to state his own side of the story. A proper notice was served on him, and ample time was given for him to appear before this committee,” he added.
Another committee member, Hon. Chinedu Obika, questioned the petitioners on whether they possessed video evidence of the alleged participation in the primary election.
Responding on behalf of the petitioners, Williams Amuga of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) admitted that the allegations were largely based on reports and publications circulating on social media.
Following the exchange, the committee suspended the hearing and directed the petitioners to return with additional evidence before further proceedings can continue.
