The lawmaker representing Kano South, Senator Sumaila Abdulrahman-Kawu has emphasized that politicians should bear a significant portion of the responsibility for the rampant misuse of hard drugs throughout the nation.
This comes as the bill for an act to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, to coordinate and promote drug awareness, prevent substance abuse and facilitate the rehabilitation of drug users and related matters, in 2024 passed a second reading at the Senate.
Speaking at the Plenary on Tuesday, Kawu revealed that most of the politicians are drug dealers, alleging that they support drug abuse in their various constituencies.
He said, “Most of our political constituencies, most of our houses when you go there, you will find out there is a mountain of drugs. And there are drug dealers in our offices and in our houses. I can take you to some of our political leaders who are in so many ways supporting or contributing to drug abuse in Nigeria.
“Let us ask ourselves during our campaign, what are we doing with the youths, How many of us here can swear with the Quran or the Bible, that they are not supporting drug-abuses in their constituencies?”
He further stated that to achieve the intent of the bill, all the leaders and politicians must work together with relevant stakeholders to stop drug abuse in Nigeria.
Kawu also suggested that before contesting in elections or accepting an appointment, politicians must undergo drug tests.