By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Senator Kawu Sumaila of Kano South has made serious allegations against members of the National Assembly, claiming many engage in drug abuse while performing their official duties. Speaking during a plenary session on a bill aimed at establishing the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, he stated, “most of our offices… you will find out that there is a mountain of drugs,” suggesting lawmakers keep hard drugs in their offices and homes.
Sumaila accused his colleagues of having connections to drug dealers and challenged them to swear on religious texts that they do not support drug abuse among youth. He urged for drug testing for politicians before elections, emphasizing, “we need to create a situation where… you must go for a drug test.”
He argued that achieving the goals of the proposed legislation requires collaboration among political leaders and stakeholders to combat drug abuse in Nigeria. In response, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin ruled Sumaila’s comments out of order, stating they were not relevant to the bill under discussion.
Source: Democracy Newsline