The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that 20 chairmanship aspirants in Kano State have tested positive for various illegal drugs during the screening process for the upcoming local government elections. The shocking revelation has raised concerns about the integrity of candidates vying for public office in the state.
The NDLEA’s Commander in Kano, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, disclosed that the affected aspirants, all presented by the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), tested positive for substances including opioids, cannabis (hemp), benzodiazepines, and nicotine. This development has cast a shadow over the credibility of some candidates running in the elections.
Ahmad emphasized that the screening process is still ongoing, and more candidates are expected to be tested before the final verification by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC). “While no female aspirant has tested positive so far, we are continuing our screenings, and results for more candidates will be available before the final verification,” he said.
The local government elections in Kano are scheduled for October 26, 2024. Voters will elect officials for 44 chairmanship positions and 484 councillorship positions across the state. The news of the drug test failures has heightened public scrutiny of the candidates and their qualifications.
This incident highlights the efforts of the NDLEA to ensure that individuals running for public office are free from drug abuse. The agency has been working closely with KANSIEC to conduct thorough screenings as part of the election preparation process.
The NDLEA’s findings have sparked discussions among political observers and the general public, raising questions about the ethical standards and background checks conducted by political parties before endorsing candidates for such important roles. As the election date approaches, all eyes will be on KANSIEC and the NDLEA to see how they handle this situation and ensure that the integrity of the electoral process is upheld.