The Kano state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has clarified reports on drug tests for some chairmanship candidates in the state.
On Tuesday, 20 aspirants seeking elective offices in the forthcoming local government elections in Kano State were reportedly said to have tested positive for multiple drugs by the NDLEA.
News About Nigeria recalls that the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission had pledged to conduct drug tests for all candidates.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Kano NDLEA said it was misquoted in reports circulating in the media that 20 chairmanship candidates tested positive for drugs in the state.
The statement, issued by Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, the Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics and Public Relations Officer for the NDLEA in Kano, emphasized that while 20 candidates had indeed tested positive, the number was not specific to any particular seat or political party..
“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kano State Command wishes to correct a misquote circulating in the media regarding the drug integrity test results of chairmanship candidates,” the statement reads.
“Contrary to reports, the NDLEA did not state that 20 chairmanship candidates tested positive for drugs.
“However, as of the time of the report, 20 candidates had indeed tested positive, but this number is not specific to any particular seat (chairmanship or councilorship) or political party.
“It is important to note that candidates are presenting themselves for the drug integrity test on an individual basis, without indication of the position they are aspiring for(Chairmanship or Councilorship) or the political party they belong to.
“Therefore, the NDLEA cannot determine who is contesting for chairmanship or councilorship positions.”
The agency urged the public to await the official release of the test results at the end of the screening exercise.
