LG poll: NNPP kicks as 20 aspirants fail drug test in Kano

• Yusuf retires 4,000 senior civil servants

The ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State has rejected the outcome of the narcotic examination, which confirmed that 20 of its aspirants tested positive for drug abuse.

In another development, no fewer than 4,000 public servants, the majority in the directorate cadre of Kano civil service, have been directed to proceed on compulsory retirement. The decision follows the abolition of the service elongation policy introduced by the immediate past administration into the civil service.

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

Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) had declared that aspirants for chairmanship and councillorship seats must test negative to any illegal substance.

According to KANSIEC, aspirants would not be allowed to purchase nomination forms until they undergo drug tests and are given a clean bill of health by the NDLEA.

The anti-narcotic agency 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.

Although the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), People Redemption Party (PRP) and other opposition parties have yet to purchase the N10 million nomination form, The Guardian gathered that only the ruling NNPP has so far shown interest in all the elective positions.

Reacting to the development, Kano NNPP Chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, insisted that aspirants presented for drug test had been found morally credible and possessed relevant educational qualifications to contest the council poll. He said: “We have tested these aspirants here in our party headquarters and we found them to be sound in terms of morals and education qualification.

“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?”

On whether the party has proof to debunk NDLEA’s result, Dungurawa confessed that though the party had no scientific evidence, it can vow for its aspirants when it concerns their moral background.

On the directive issued to the civil servants, recall that Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration added five years to the standard rule of 35 years of service and/or 60 years of age for workers’ retirement. The Ganduje administration reportedly broke the civil service rule to ease the cumulative gratuity burden to the increasing number of retirees the government found difficult to settle.

However, the policy remained a stumbling block for the government to create employment opportunities. Briefing journalists, yesterday, the Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, revealed that after diligent screening, about 4,000 civil servants were found enjoying the Ganduje privilege. He maintained the affected workers were directed to put up their retirement letters before the end of September.

“After abrogating Ganduje’s Pension Law, we established a Senior Civil Servants Committee, which investigated actual numbers of persons affected by the law.

“After due diligence, the committee identified 4,000 persons affected and supposed to go by December 1, 2024, which means at the end of this month, they would put in their retirement notices,” he said.

According to the HoS, out of the leniency of the government, they were given a three-month usual retirement window to put in their retirement notices and prepare for full retirement by December 2024.