The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has rejected the proposal presented to the independent independent National Electoral Commission, INEC seeking that political parties should make drug integrity tests part of its screening requirements for aspirants seeking elective offices in the 2023 general elections. The national chairman of the IPAC, Yabagi Sani, noted this in a statement.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had proposed that political parties should carry out drug tests on all aspirants seeking to contest political offices on their platforms.
Sani described the proposal as “outrageous, outlandish, preposterous, despicable and a deliberate attack” on the sensibilities of lovers of democracy in Nigeria.
“The awkward proposal portrays politicians as drug addicts who must be certified fit to run for various elective offices by the agency. It is reprehensible and unacceptable,” he said.
Sani demanded an apology from the NDLEA and advised the anti-narcotic agency to desist from impugning the character and integrity of politicians, including those contesting for presidency, who he said “are patriotic and highly respected.”
