The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC has rejected the proposal by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that political parties should make drug integrity tests part of the screening requirements for aspirants seeking to contest political offices in the 2023 general election.
A statement by the IPAC National Chairman, Alhaji Yabagi Sani describes it as an outrageous and deliberate attack on the sensibilities of lovers of democratic governance in Nigeria.
It urges the NDLEA to desist from impugning the character and integrity of politicians including those contesting for president who are patriotic, highly respected, well-accomplished statesmen and women with proven integrity.
The statement further explains that IPAC strongly condemns drug abuse by misguided citizens and urges NDLEA to discharge its duties according to the law that established it.
It states that since political parties’ activities are guided by the 1999 constitution as amended, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC guidelines/regulations, and respective parties’ guidelines, there is no justification for extra-constitutional requirements as proposed by the NDLEA boss.
It added that IPAC would continue to uphold democratic ideals, ethics, and ethos as parties jointly build a better, greater, and prosperous democratic society.
