The New Nigeria People’s Party has condemned the request by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for a drug integrity test on aspirants vying for political offices stating that it’s a mockery of the constitutional rule and a joke taken too far.
The party made this known in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Agbo Major, to felicitate Islam faithful on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr.
The chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), had asked political parties to make drug integrity tests part of the screening requirements for aspirants seeking to contest various political offices in the 2023 elections on their platforms.
The party, however, responded, “The recent National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s proposal for drug integrity test on aspirants vying for various offices in the 2023 general election is ill-conceived, a joke taken too far and mockery of our frail democracy.
“It is inconsistent with electoral laws and suggests that politicians are drug addicts who cannot be trusted to hold elective offices. NNPP strongly condemns it and will not tolerate it. Any proposal outside the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act, INEC guidelines and our party Constitution is void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The NNPP further called on state governments to pay all outstanding salaries owed to workers this month.
It states, “The era of owing workers while top public office holders live in luxury from looted funds is over. The NNPP, if elected into power in the 2023 presidential poll, will make workers’ welfare, indeed, the welfare of all Nigerians, a top priority.
“The NNPP demands immediate payment of pension and gratuities of the nation’s retirees. It is unfair, unjust and wicked to owe retired workers billions of naira due to them having spent their productive years in service to the fatherland. It is unacceptable and despicable. The labours of our heroes’ past shall not be in vain.
“About 85 per cent of Nigerian workers are youths. The NNPP pays glowing tributes to their patriotism, dynamism and passion for building a greater, united, prosperous and egalitarian democratic nation. Nigerians are grateful for their contributions to our representative governance.
“The Federal Government should quickly resolve lingering issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities and honour agreements with the union to end the elongated strike that has undermined the nation’s educational advancement and led students to crimes thus worsening insecurity in the country.”
The party further asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties and politicians to ensure free, fair and inclusive government.
The party added, “The upcoming 2023 general election will be a redefining moment for Nigeria. The NNPP calls for issue-based campaigns and urges politicians to eschew politics of bitterness and brigandage that has impeded our frail democracy.
“The neutrality of INEC is critical to the success of the polls. The party urges the electoral umpire to provide a level playing field for all political parties and their candidates in all elections. This is the only way to safeguard the nation’s hard-earned democracy.” (Punch)
