The Centre for Legislative Accountability and Democratic Integrity (CLADI) has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate allegations that some members of the House of Representatives may have received financial inducements in connection with the contest for minority leadership positions in the lower chamber.
In a petition dated June 5, 2026, titled “Request for Immediate Investigation into Alleged Financial Inducement of Members of the House of Representatives in the Contest for Minority Leadership Position,” CLADI urged the DSS to examine claims that lawmakers were offered financial incentives during consultations leading to the endorsement of a candidate for minority leader. The petition was signed by CLADI’s National President, Dr Usman Ibrahim Abdullahi, and National Secretary, Barrister Chika Nwafor.
According to the group, reports alleging that some opposition lawmakers may have received payments in exchange for their support raise serious concerns about the integrity of the National Assembly and warrant a thorough investigation. The allegations emerged after the endorsement of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State, by a large number of opposition lawmakers following the resignation of Hon. Kingsley Chinda as minority leader.
CLADI argued that public confidence in the legislature could be undermined if such allegations are left unexamined. “The National Assembly occupies a sacred position in our constitutional democracy. Any suggestion that principal officers of the parliament are being produced through financial inducement rather than democratic consensus represents a direct assault on the integrity of the legislature and must be thoroughly investigated,” the petition stated.
The organisation emphasised that the allegations remain unproven but maintained that their seriousness requires impartial scrutiny. “We are compelled to bring this matter to your attention because of widespread reports alleging that substantial sums of foreign currency were offered to lawmakers to secure their signatures and support. While these claims remain allegations, their gravity requires urgent and impartial investigation,” the group said.
CLADI urged the DSS to determine whether lawmakers acted independently in supporting candidates for minority leadership positions or whether financial considerations influenced the endorsement process. “The question before the nation is simple: were these endorsements products of conviction and consensus, or were they procured through monetary inducement? The answer is critical to public trust in the legislative institution,” the petition added.
The group further called on investigators to examine financial records, communication exchanges and other relevant materials that could assist in establishing the facts surrounding the allegations. It also urged security agencies to prosecute any individual found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation or status. “No individual should be allowed to compromise the credibility of the House of Representatives. If public officers exchanged money to influence the emergence of parliamentary leaders, such conduct amounts to a betrayal of the electorate and an affront to democratic values,” the organisation stated.
CLADI warned that failure to investigate the claims could create a dangerous precedent in which leadership positions within democratic institutions are perceived as being influenced by financial considerations rather than democratic processes. As of the time of filing this report, the lawmakers mentioned in the petition had not publicly responded to the allegations, while the DSS had yet to issue an official statement on the request for an investigation.
