The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that at least 20 political aspirants in Kano State have tested positive for multiple drugs. These candidates are seeking positions in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for October 26, 2024.
This was disclosed by the NDLEA Commander for Kano State, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, on Tuesday, September 2024. Ahmad explained that the drug tests were part of the screening process for the local elections, which are expected to fill 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship positions across the state’s 44 local government areas.
According to Ahmad, the candidates who tested positive are all members of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). The NDLEA found that the aspirants tested positive for a variety of substances, including opioids like codeine, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the active ingredient in cannabis, benzodiazepines, and nicotine.
“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,” Ahmad confirmed. The NDLEA is continuing the screening process as other candidates are expected to undergo drug tests before the election.
Ahmad noted that while nicotine, which is commonly found in tobacco products, was detected in many of the candidates, it is up to the electoral commission to decide whether to classify nicotine as a disqualifying drug.
“Many of them tested positive for nicotine as far as our test is concerned, but it is left for the electoral commission to decide if tobacco is a drug or not because it is something you find even in kola nuts,” he said.
Nicotine is often consumed through smoking tobacco, but it can also be found in everyday substances like kola nuts, which are traditionally used across Nigeria. This has led to debates over whether the presence of nicotine should be treated as seriously as the other substances detected in the tests, such as cannabis and codeine.
Ahmad also revealed that, so far, no female aspirants have tested positive for drugs. “So far, no female aspirant has tested positive,” he stated, providing a sense of relief amidst the troubling findings from the male candidates.
This announcement highlights a significant gender difference in the drug test results. It also signals the ongoing screening process, as the NDLEA continues to test more candidates from different political parties ahead of the elections.
The drug tests are part of a broader initiative led by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) to ensure that all candidates meet certain ethical and moral standards before standing for office. This is a move aimed at promoting responsible leadership and curbing drug abuse among politicians.
The decision to conduct drug tests on all political aspirants was made by KANSIEC earlier this year. The commission’s chairman, Prof. Sani Malumfashi, had previously announced that the NDLEA would be responsible for administering the tests. This move followed several reports of rising drug abuse in Kano State, especially among young people and politicians.
As part of the ongoing efforts to curb drug-related issues, KANSIEC has committed to ensuring that only drug-free candidates are allowed to contest the upcoming elections. This is part of a broader campaign by the NDLEA and state authorities to tackle the growing problem of drug abuse across northern Nigeria, particularly in Kano.
So far, only the NNPP, which is the ruling party in Kano State, has presented its candidates for the drug screening. The NDLEA commander emphasised that the screening is still ongoing, and more candidates from other political parties are expected to be tested in the coming days. Ahmad confirmed that other political parties registered for the local government elections have not yet presented their candidates for screening.
The 18 registered political parties in the state are expected to submit their candidates to KANSIEC for the final verification before the elections. These local government elections are crucial, as they will determine leadership in all 44 local government areas of Kano State.
Kano State has been battling a drug abuse crisis for several years. The NDLEA and other agencies have expressed concerns over the growing use of narcotics, especially among young people and those in positions of power. Opioids, cannabis, and synthetic drugs like benzodiazepines have become widespread, leading to social and health problems in the region.
In an effort to tackle this crisis, the NDLEA has been ramping up its enforcement efforts, including drug busts, public awareness campaigns, and rehabilitation programs for addicts. However, the problem remains significant, and the fact that political aspirants are testing positive for drugs underscores how deeply the issue has permeated various sectors of society.
