2023: NDLEA Urges APC, PDP Aspirants To Take Drug Test

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged political parties in the country to include integrity drug tests in the screening requirements for aspirants vying for offices in the 2023 elections.

The advice was given by NDLEA Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while answering questions from newsmen at the 2022 First Quarter Best Performing Commands Awards ceremony at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

Marwa stated that the anti-narcotic agency has been advocating for all public office holders (including political appointees) to undergo drug integrity tests before they would be certified fit to take public offices.

"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 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.

"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", he said.