The bill was sponsored by Sen. Rufa’i Hanga (NNPP, Kano-Central) and came up for the debate of the general principles and second reading on Tuesday.
Senator Sumaila Abdulrahman-Kawu who represents Kano South district in the National Assembly challenged his colleagues to swear by the sacred scriptures they believe in if they do not support drug addicts in their various areas.
Sumaila, a federal lawmaker elected under the platform of the New Nigeria People's Party, said this during the plenary session on Tuesday while contributing to a debate on “A Bill for an Act to Establish National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, to Coordinate and Promote Drug Awareness, Prevent Substance Abuse and Facilitate the Rehabilitation of Drug Users and for Related Matters, 2024.”
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Rufa’i Hanga (NNPP, Kano-Central) and came up for the debate of the general principles and second reading on Tuesday.
The proposed bill's roles are already being handled by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), a federal law enforcement agency established on January 1, 1990.
The NDLEA's primary task is to combat drug smuggling, trafficking, and use within Nigeria and around its borders.
Their functions include preventing illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, enforcing drug laws, working beyond borders to stifle drug activities, tracing and seizing financial proceeds from drug-related activities, and eradicating narcotic plants and substances.
The senator accused Nigerian leaders and politicians of being behind the prevalent drug abuse in the country.
He said the politicians are the ones buying the drug substances for the youth to take and engage in unlawful activities on their behalf in the name of politics.
He revealed that politicians stock drugs in their homes and also fund the channels for regular supplies, especially during electioneering.
He said, “As leaders in this country, we are stakeholders, we need to do a lot. We all believe that religiously both Islam and Christianity, even in our traditional religion, drug abuse is prohibited, but who and who are encouraging and supporting it?
“We cannot achieve the intent of this bill unless we put ourselves together as stakeholders to stop drug abuse in Nigeria. Let us ask ourselves, during our campaign what are we doing with the so-called youths? How many of us can swear with the Quran or Bible that in any way they are not supporting drug abusers in their constituency?
“I am asking if all of us can swear with the Holy Quran or Bible that we are not in any way in support of drug abusers or intoxicants in our constituency for our political cause.”
“We need to create a situation that before contesting an election or taking any appointment at whatever in government level, you must go for a drug test,” the senator demanded.
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.
He said, “How many of us here can swear with the Quran or the Bible, that they are not supporting… pic.twitter.com/n7WGPD0Jni
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) October 15, 2024