2023 Presidential race: Osinbajo, Tinubu, Atiku, Amaechi, others may undergo drug tests
…Proposal will strengthen fight against drug trafficking, sanitise political scene — Security experts
By Uthman Salami, Ariemu Ogaga and Dennis Matthew
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Former Lagos State Governor and National leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and other leading presidential aspirants for the 2023 general elections may undergo Drug test before the election.
This indication was raised by the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig Gen (rtd) Buba Marwa which had earlier urged political parties across Nigeria to make drug integrity tests part of the screening requirements for aspirants seeking to contest various political offices in the 2023 elections on their platforms.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Agency made the proposition while responding to questions from reporters yesterday at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja during its 2022 First Quarter Best Performing Commands Awards ceremony.
Experts, who spoke with Nigerian NewsDirect, were of the belief that the proposal, if accepted and well implemented, would further strengthen Nigeria’s campaign against drug trafficking.
While speaking, Marwa said, “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 and 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,
“For this reason, we have advocated and will continue to advocate that drug test be conducted for politicians; some state governments like Kano State is already doing this.
“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.”
According to Marwa, the ceremony has become part and parcel of NDLEA’s corporate culture while recognising and rewarding hard work and excellence has always been a pragmatic way of stimulating productivity and enhancing the attainment of organisational goals.
He also highlighted some of the feats the agency has recorded in the last three months, including the arrest of over 3,500 suspects.
“Statistics from the first quarter (Q1) report indicates that our performance level has not dropped off,” said the NDLEA Chief.
“Indeed, achieving 3,539 arrests, 677 convictions, and seizures of 65,916 kg of drugs in three months is no mean feat.
“Little wonder our performance continually earns the agency deserved accolades from the right quarters within the country as well as from abroad, especially from international partners and peers.
“While we have not yet achieved the utopia of a drug-free society, the results show that we are getting it right.”
Proposal will strengthen fight against drug trafficking, sanitise political scene — Security experts
Reacting to the development in a chat with Nigerian NewsDirect on Wednesday, a security expert and Chief Executive Officer, Beacon Security Consult, Dr. Kabiru Adamu said the move will help strengthen Nigeria’s credential in the global campaign against drug trafficking.
He said, “I see this proposal by NDLEA as a positive development. Nigeria is fast becoming an illicit drugs transit hub. This means drug cartels across the world will attempt to secure influence including among political leaders. Therefore ensuring that these leaders are not drug addicted will help ensure these cartels don’t succeed.
“I also think this move will help establish Nigeria’s credentials in the global campaign against drug trafficking,” he stated.
Similarly, a Security and Public Safety Expert, Mr Patrick Agbambu urged Nigerians to support the proposal as it will bring about sanity to Governance.
In his words, “The proposal to test Presidential Aspirants on drugs is a welcome development.”
He said it would “help Nigeria’s system. Not stopping at doing drug tests for Political office aspirants, the Government should do the same for higher institutions and public services. There is a need to replicate this drug test to bring about some level of sanity. Every Nigerian should support this development,” he said.
Also responding to the proposal, the Lead Strategist of Nigerian Workforce Strategy and Enlightenment Centre (NIWOSEC), Dr David Kayode Ehindero supported the call of the NDLEA to test every political aspirant vying for the 2023 general elections to ensure their mental and psychological fitness.
He said, “Every aspirant is expected to undergo a drug test to be sure of their state of mind because most of these politicians once they occupy their offices they become insane leaving an abnormal luxurious lifestyle.”
According to him, “Mental certification is necessary especially for the presidential aspirants so that the lives of Nigerians cannot be placed in their custody just like that.
Dr. Enhindero called on Civil Society Organizations in collaboration with the NDLEA “to sponsor a bill concerning testing the medical and physical stability of all aspiring Politicians in the country before the national Assembly as a way forward in the country.”
