APC contestants must undergo drug test: Kano Gov

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano has ordered contestants seeking All Progressive Congress (APC)’ executive council positions to undergo a mandatory drug test.

“The directive is part of government’s policy, to rid Kano of illicit substances,” the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said in a statement on Wednesday.

He quoted the governor as directing all the contestants to report to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state for the screening before 7:00 a.m.

“Similar tests were carried out for contestants into local government election, as well as political appointees including members of the state executive council before offering them a portfolio,” he added the statement.

The commissioner, who stated that the governor had already mandated the state office of the NDLEA to conduct the tests, reaffirmed his commitment to rid political leaders of drug abuse.

“Government will not hesitate to issue necessary disciplinary measures against anyone found with the trace of illicit substances, including a compulsory recommendation for rehabilitation,” the commissioner stated.

13 councillorship aspirants had earlier tested positive

No fewer than 13 councillorship aspirants in the state tested positive for hard drugs early 2021.

According to the APC secretary in Kano, Ibrahim Sarina, the ruling party had, through the NDLEA, conducted tests on the candidates.

Mr. Sarina had disclosed that the candidates who tested positive were replaced.

‘Why politician should undergo drug test’

As part of strategies to eradicate the use of illicit drugs, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) boss, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.) had in May 2021 stated the need for politicians seeking public offices to undergo drug integrity tests.

Marwa emphasised the need for people to entrust the management of their treasury and their well-being in the hands of politicians with clear minds.

He argued that no public office holder under the influence of drugs would be able to think straight.

‘14.3 million Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 years have abused drugs’

A United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) report of 2018 said the prevalence of any drug use in Nigeria was estimated at 14.4 percent, meaning that 14.3 million of people aged between 15 and 64 years have abused drugs.

Compared with the 2016 global annual prevalence of any drug use of 5.6 percent among the adult population, the report said the extent of drug use in Nigeria is comparatively high when

The prevalence of psychoactive substances excluding alcohol, overall was higher among men in Nigeria. However the gender difference in the non-medical use of prescription opioids, tranquilizers, and cough syrups was less marked, UNODC said.

“Drug use was most common among those who were between the ages of 25 and 39 years, while the rates of past-year use were lowest among those who were below 24 years of age. Cannabis was the most commonly used drug followed by opioids, mainly the non-medical use of prescription opioids and cough syrup,” UNODC said in the report.

APC contestants must undergo drug test: Kano Gov | The Informant247 Newspaper