NNPP kicks as 20 aspirants fail drug test in Kano

The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) has rejected the outcome of the narcotic examination, which confirmed 20 of its aspirants positive for drug abuse.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday revealed that at least 20 aspirants seeking elective offices in the forthcoming local government elections in the state tested positive for multiple narcotic tests conducted.

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The Kano State Independence Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has declared that aspirants to contest both Chairmanship and councillorship must test negative for any illegal substance.

According to KANSIEC, aspirants would not be allowed to purchase nomination forms until such a person undergoes a drug test and is subsequently certified negative for narcotic substance abuse by NDLEA.

NDLEA disclosed that 20 of the aspirants presented for screening tested positive for drugs opioid (codeine), THC (Tetrahydro cannabis, an active ingredient for cannabis sativa), benzodiazepines, and nicotine.

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Although, opposition parties, including APC, PDP, PRP, and others, and yet to purchase the N10 million maximum cost for a nomination form, The Guardian gathered that only the ruling NNPP has so far showcased interest to feed all the elective positions.

Reacting to the development, the NNPP Chairman in Kano, Hashimu Dungurawa, insisted that aspirants presented for drug tests have been found morally credible and possess educational qualifications to contest the council poll.

“The report is not true and there is no evidence to proof that. How do they confirm, which local government are they from? We have tested these aspirants here in our party headquarters and we found them to be sound in terms of moral and education qualification,” Dungurawa said.

“We in Kwankwaso promote education. We are not in support of drug abuse. Our policy in Kwankwaso is against drug abuse how can we present drug addicts to contest in our party.”

Asked whether the party also has a counter-proof to debunk NDLEA result, Dungurawa said the party has no scientific evidence but insists that its aspirants were morally upright.