Nigeria: Kano Political Aspirants Fail Drug Tests: 20 Candidates from Ruling Party Test Positive

• Sep 11, 2024

The Kano State Drug Law Enforcement Agency has revealed that 20 political aspirants from the ruling New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) have tested positive for various drugs, including opioids, THC (the active compound in cannabis), benzodiazepines, and nicotine.

The agency's state commander, Abubakar Ahmad, confirmed the findings, stating that the drug screening process is still ongoing, and more results could follow. "So far, 20 aspirants presented to us by the ruling party (NNPP) in the state have tested positive for multiple drugs," he said, adding that the tests form part of the screening process before the final candidate list is submitted to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

One notable aspect of the testing is that no female aspirants have tested positive for drugs so far. Ahmad further noted that some of the substances detected are related to tobacco, sparking a debate about whether it should be classified as a drug. "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 nut," he said.

This is not Kano's first introduction of compulsory drug tests for political aspirants. Back in 2018, the state government implemented similar measures for political appointees, civil servants, and students seeking tertiary education admissions.

The revelation has raised concerns about the integrity of the political process and the suitability of the affected candidates. It remains to be seen how the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission will respond to the findings and whether any further action will be taken against the candidates who have tested positive for the banned substances.

The drug screening initiative is part of the state's efforts to ensure that only individuals of sound character and judgment are entrusted with positions of leadership. The high number of positive results has sparked a wider debate about the prevalence of drug use among political aspirants and the need for stricter measures to combat this issue.

As the Kano State elections approach, the public will be closely watching the developments and the steps taken by the authorities to address this concerning situation. The integrity of the electoral process and the trust of the electorate are at stake, making this a crucial issue that demands transparent and decisive action from the relevant authorities.