Tobi Adebayo
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) condemned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)’s proposal to test all 2023 elections aspirants for drugs before participating in party primaries.
National Chairman of IPAC, Yabagi Sani made the council’s stance known in a statement in Abuja.
“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.
“It is high time we begin to show regard for the nation’s political leaders as obtainable in other democracies.
“It is obvious that political parties’ activities are guided by the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC guidelines/regulations and respective parties’ guidelines.
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“There is no justification whatsoever for extra constitutional requirements as proposed by the NDLEA .
“This is the position of the Supreme Court ahead of the contentious 2003 general election where it held that INEC had no power to impose nomination fees on aspirants vying for elective offices outside the requirements provided by the constitution.
“This is the clear position of the law and the position of IPAC for aspirants seeking political offices in the 2023 general elections.
“IPAC strongly condemns drug abuse by misguided citizens and urges NDLEA to discharge its duties in tandem with the law establishing it,” the statement read.
