Kano LG Polls: NDLEA Reveals 20 Aspirants Tested Positive for Cannabis, Codeine, and Other Substances

At least 20 aspirants seeking elective positions in the upcoming local government elections in Kano State have tested positive for various drugs.

Abubakar Idris Ahmad, the commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State, shared this information with Daily Trust on Tuesday, September 2024.

Ahmad reported that some of the aspirants tested positive for opioids (such as codeine), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, an active ingredient in cannabis sativa), benzodiazepines, and nicotine.

“Currently, 20 aspirants presented to us by the ruling party (NNPP) in the state have tested positive for multiple drugs, and the screening process is still ongoing,” Ahmad said.

He noted, “Many of them tested positive for nicotine. However, it is up to the electoral commission to determine if tobacco should be classified as a drug, given its presence even in kola nuts.”

Ahmad also stated that, so far, no female aspirants have tested positive.

He explained that only NNPP had presented its aspirants for drug screening to date, ahead of submitting their candidates’ list to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), which will conduct the final verification of all candidates.

The commission has scheduled the local government elections for October 26, where elections will be held for 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship positions across the 18 registered political parties.