The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has rejected the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) proposal that political parties should make drug integrity test part of the screening requirements for aspirants seeking to contest political offices in the 2023 general election.
In an issued statement signed by the IPAC National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, the Council said the 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, IPAC said.
It said this move is an outrageous, despicable and deliberate attack on the sensibilities of lovers of democratic governance in Nigeria.
IPAC however, demanded an apology from NDLEA and warned the anti-narcotic agency to desist from impugning the character and integrity of politicians including those contesting for president who according to the Council are patriotic, and highly respected, well-accomplished statesmen and women with proven integrity.
It is amazing that Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), who lacks the audacity to make a similar proposal to the nations armed forces, who have on several occasions ‘accidentally bombed’ civilian settlements, killing innocent citizens including children, in the course of military operations to get rid of terrorists, insurgents, militants and bandits, should target politicians who are working assiduously along with fellow compatriots to build a strong, virile, united, progressive, egalitarian and decent democratic nation.
The IPAC strongly condemned drug abuse by misguided citizens and urges NDLEA to discharge its duties in tandem with the law establishing it. A nation is governed by the rule of law, not by impunity.
