The All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to subject leading candidates to compulsory drug tests.
It noted that the three main contenders: APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and Labour Party’s (LP’s) Olumide Akpata, must present themselves for serious drug tests, in order to ascertain their level of sanity.
The campaign council’s Director of Media, Prince Kassim Afegbua, a former Commissioner for Information in the state, yesterday urged the NDLEA to quickly do the needful.
It said: “We have been reliably informed that some of the governorship candidates are heavy consumers of banned substances like marijuana, tramadol, codeine and alcohol. Tests for all of them will unveil their level of sanity.
“Edo voters must be well-guided in making informed choices during the governorship election, and to avoid voting for a candidate who will spend the state’s resources in funding drug and alcoholic lifestyles.
“The compulsory tests on the leading candidates will save residents of any future embarrassment that may arise. The voters cannot be deceived again. Edo State is too decent to have a governor who will bring shame to the people.
“Anyone who wants to govern this state should not be a heavy consumer of marijuana. This is a banned substance, and we expect the NDLEA to verify and conduct tests on the major candidates.
“Our candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is prepared to submit himself to any test any time he is called upon. We expect similar assurances from other candidates to ascertain their level of sanity.”
It said: “We are doing this to save our state, and we hope that the NDLEA will quickly swing into action, and do the needful.
“As we countdown to September 21, 2024, we will continue to mount pressure on NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies to come to the aid of Edo people and subject the candidates to compulsory drug tests. The people deserve to know who they are supporting.”
