The Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) has submitted a request to the All-Progressive Congress (APC) to allow the agency’s officials to conduct a drug test on politicians contesting for elective positions during party primaries.
Driving the news
The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Barr. Felix Morka, in response to the drug test request by the NDLEA, stated that the National Working Committee (NWC) has not deliberated on the matter.
- The NDLEA boss, in his request, said that when it’s time for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, he would also write to the chairman.
Why it matters
The drug test request by the NDLEA is not out of place as in 2021, 13 councillorship aspirants in Kano State, northern region of Nigeria, tested positive for hard drugs. Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, then directed all candidates for the APC’s executive council positions to undergo a compulsory drug test exercise.
Meanwhile
The House of Representatives in November 2021 was working on a bill to make a mandatory drug test for all politicians seeking elective offices.
Final thoughts
A mandatory drug test for candidates contesting for elective positions would strengthen Nigeria’s stance on the prohibition of drugs.