The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has screened no fewer than 250 candidates of political parties for drug addiction in Kano State.
The candidates are for the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
Ibrahim Abdul, the NDLEA Commander in Kano State, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Friday, December 11, 2020, that they found some candidates with symptoms of drug abuse.
Abdul explained that the screening of the candidates for the positions of Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and Councillors was in compliance with the state government’s order to ensure that no drug addict would be elected into any public office.
“I am glad to inform you that Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje had sent names of his appointed commissioners, assistants, and advisers for similar screening before confirming their appointments.
“The Emirate Council has also been sending traditional title appointees for screening; therefore, we are always ready to screen any appointee sent to us.
“We have so far screened over 250 candidates both for the Chairmanship, Deputy Chairmanship, and Councillorship positions.
“We found some of them with symptoms of drug abuse. We will not tell you their names or local governments.
“At the end of the exercise, we will write to the appropriate authorities for further actions,” the commander said.
Recall that the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, had scheduled elections across the 44 local government areas for January 16, 2020.