The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that 20 aspirants for the upcoming Kano State local government elections have tested positive for multiple drugs.
This revelation is part of a broader effort to curb drug use among candidates and ensure a fair electoral process.
The NDLEA commander in Kano, Abubakar Ahmad, confirmed that all 20 aspirants who failed the drug test are members of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). “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 said. The substances detected include opioids such as codeine, THC (the active ingredient in cannabis), benzodiazepines, and nicotine.
While the presence of nicotine in the tests sparked debate, Ahmad added, “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.”
According to Ahmad, no female aspirants have tested positive thus far. The drug tests form a critical part of the screening process, which is mandatory before the NNPP submits its final list of candidates to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) for the upcoming elections scheduled for October 26. The election will fill 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship seats across Kano’s local governments.
Earlier reports indicated that KANSIEC had committed to drug testing for all candidates, with its chairman, Prof. Sani Malumfashi, affirming this stance during a recent visit to the NDLEA headquarters. “We are committed to conducting thorough tests to maintain the integrity of our elections,” Prof. Malumfashi stated.
This move follows a 2018 policy by the Kano State government mandating compulsory drug tests for political appointees, civil servants, and students seeking admission to tertiary institutions.
