Political parties in Nigeria have been asked to make drug integrity tests a requirement for aspirants intending to run for political office on their platforms in the 2023 elections.
The call was made by Buba Marwa, the Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Wednesday, April 27.
Marwa stated this while responding to questions from journalists at the 2022, First Quarter Best Performing Commands Awards ceremony held at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, the NDLEA had been arguing for drug integrity testing for all public office holders; including political appointees before they could be declared fit to occupy public office.
“For politicians, we have long advocated; and I take the opportunity again to repeat the advocacy that when they run for public office; it demands a lot of responsibility from the person. We need to be certain if he’s a person that is already a drug addict/user who will spend all the money he’s given for public service to consume cocaine; and his head will not be in a stable condition to handle the affairs he has been entrusted with.
“Not just politicians, but government appointees; and I’ve just sent a letter this morning to the National Chairman of APC, who will be the first of the national working committee I wish to pay an advocacy visit on this issue.
“I recommended that drug tests be incorporated in the screening process for all those interested in running for public office; we’ll do the same to the PDP and other important parties,” the NDLEA head stated.
