A new twist has been introduced into the conduct of the October 16 state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.

The Abdullahi Ganduje-led government has directed all contestants seeking the APC’s executive position to undergo a mandatory drug test.

“The directive is part of government’s policy to rid Kano of illicit substances,” Commissioner for Information, Mr. Muhammad Garba, said in a statement made available to The Star on Wednesday.

All contestants are mandated to report to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in Kano for the screening.

According to Garba, no contestant would be screened without undergoing the mandatory drug test ahead of the Saturday state congress of the ruling party.

“Similar tests were carried out for contestants into local government election, as well as political appointees including members of the state executive council before offering them portfolio,” Garba said.

The commissioner said Governor Ganduje has already mandated the state office of the NDLEA to conduct the tests.

The commissioner reaffirmed Ganduje’s commitment to riddle drug abuse among political leaders.

“Government will not hesitate to issue necessary disciplinary measures against anyone found with the trace of illicit substances, including a compulsory recommendation for rehabilitation,” the commissioner said.

It will be recalled that on January 8, 13 councillorship aspirants in Kano State tested positive to hard drugs.

According to APC Secretary in Kano, Alhaji Ibrahim Sarina, the ruling party had through the NDLEA conducted tests on the candidates.

Sarina said the 13 councillorship candidates who tested positive to drug abuse were replaced.

Kano State has about two million drug addicts, representing 16 per cent prevalence, according to the Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa.

This means that in every six persons in Kano, one is a drug addict.

“In Kano State, drug abuse prevalence is 16 per cent; that is, in every six persons, one is a drug addict and they are between the ages of 15 years and 64 years.

“Kano State has close to two million drug users abusing tramadol, codeine and other cough syrups, rather than cannabis.

“I will like to mention here that since I assumed leadership of NDLEA in January, we have seized over two million kilogrammes of assorted drugs, estimated at billions of Naira.

“Eight thousand people were arrested and 1,600 are now serving jail terms in correctional service facilities, and we are still working.

“Drug abuse has gone to the level of destroying our families unless is tackled with all seriousness it deserves,” Marwa said.