AT least 20 political aspirants vying for various elective positions in the upcoming local government elections in Kano State have tested positive for multiple drugs.
The commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)in Kano State, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, revealed this to Daily Trust on Trust.
Among the substances detected in the aspirants were opioids (codeine), THC (Tetrehydro cannabis), benzodiazepines, and nicotine.
Ahmad said: “So far 20 aspirants presented to us by the ruling party (NNPP) in the state have tested positive for multiple drug tests and the exercise is ongoing.
“Many of them tested positive for Nicotine as far as our test is concerned but it is left for the electoral commission to decide if tobacco is drug or not because it is something you find even in kola nuts.”
Notably, no female aspirants were found to have tested positive.
So far, only the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has presented its aspirants for drug screening prior to submitting its candidates’ list to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).
The commission has scheduled October 26 for the local government elections, where 18 registered political parties will contest for 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship positions.
