- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said 20 candidates of the local government election in Kano tested positive for drugs
- The state commander, Abubakar Ahmad said they tested positive to opioids (codeine), THC (the active ingredient in cannabis), benzodiazepines and nicotine.
- Nigerians reacted, call for the agency to test all elected executives in Nigeria
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that 20 candidates in the upcoming local government elections have tested positive for multiple drugs in Kano State.
The Kano State NDLEA Commander, Abubakar Idris Ahmad said the candidates who are from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), tested positive for substances including opioids (codeine), THC (the active ingredient in cannabis), benzodiazepines and nicotine.
He said: “So far, 20 aspirants presented to us by the ruling party (NNPP) in the state have tested positive for multiple drugs, and the exercise is ongoing.”
He also noted that although nicotine was found in many cases, it is up to the electoral commission to decide if tobacco will be classified as a drug. Ahmad further noted that no female candidate have tested positive so far.
According to Punch, “The drug tests are part of the screening process ahead of the NNPP’s submission of its candidate list to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), which will verify all candidates before the October 26 election.
“These elections will fill 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship seats across Kano’s local governments.”
Nigerians react to NDLEA’s revelation
Many Nigerian who reacted to the news made fun of the religious police force in Kano state, Hisbah, who are notorious for destroying alcohol and closing up beer palours. They were mocked for having the use of drugs slip past them. Some called on the NDLEA to take random drug tests of all elected executives in Nigeria, including those at national level.
Here are some of the comments:
@Dat_Oronboy posted: “Hisbah won't see those ones.. it's to enter shops and destroy people's businesses selling beer... Useless people.”
@pol_scientistNG posted: ”God, imagine having leaders whose decision are made from the effects drugs in their system.smh.”
@RobertAndrew30 posted: “In Kano?? I think say na Holy city? Abi Hisbah don stop work?😂😂.”
@austinemarobe posted: “Ahhh 😂 they don’t drink alcohol but they swim in drugs 😂😂💔”
@gilbert_efoghe posted: “Wait which Kano. The state’s that destroyed thousands of beer 🍺 supply every day 😂🤣😁😅”
@BillyAjala posted: “I like the fact that politicians are being tested for hard drugs before election but my fear is,of what use will the results be. Politicians will explore our laws to say it doesn't stop them from contesting especially if such politicians are favorites of powers that be..”
@BiyiokeOke posted: “I think this should be one of the requirements before contesting for any public office.”
@Ifechukwuifenna posted: “Nigeria na joke. Conduct this test on Presidential, Governorship and Fed House of Reps aspirants and see if 98.8% won't test positive. Una think sey na correct eyes dem take rule Nigeria?”
@Louisaksteve posted: “Hiiiishbaar ooo. Where is hishbar????? Una dey break Beer bottles, while these ones are on kwaya 🤣🤣🤣”
NDLEA proposes drug tests for politicians, private workers, couples, others
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) launched the Drug Integrity Test program, which is expected to transform into an anti-drug culture for all Nigerians as a preventive measure.
The agency's chairman/CEO, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), made this known while speaking during this year's World Drug Day on Wednesday, June 26.