- The NDLEA said 20 candidates had indeed tested positive.
- The ageny said the number was not specific to any particular seat or political party.
The Kano state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has refuted claims that 20 politicians who tested positive for drugs belong to a single political party.
The NDLEA’s clarification follows media reports on Tuesday, alleging that 20 aspirants from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state’s local government election had tested positive for multiple drugs.
In a statement issued by Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, the NDLEA spokesperson, the agency denied being misquoted in the reports, emphasizing that while 20 candidates did test positive, the results did not specify any political party or position.
“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kano State Command wishes to correct a misquote circulating in the media regarding the drug integrity test results of chairmanship candidates,” the statement read.
“Contrary to reports, the NDLEA did not state that 20 chairmanship candidates tested positive for drugs. However, as of the time of the report, 20 candidates had indeed tested positive, but this number is not specific to any particular seat (chairmanship or councilorship) or political party.”
The NDLEA explained that candidates undergo the drug integrity test individually, without disclosing their political aspirations or affiliations, making it impossible for the agency to determine who is running for chairmanship or councillorship positions.
The agency urged the public to await the official release of the test results after the screening exercise is completed and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in the electoral process.