- Senator Sumaila said the institute would not help the situation until politicians change their ways
Kawu Sumaila, a senator representing Kano South, has accused politicians of encouraging youths to use illicit drugs, a trend he believes has reached dangerous proportions.
Sumaila chastised his colleagues during a plenary debate on a bill sponsored by Senator Rufai Hanga (Kano Central) titled “A bill for an act to establish a national institute for drug awareness and rehabilitation 2024”.
Senator Hanga led the debate on the bill’s general principles, stating that if established, the institute would coordinate and promote drug awareness, prevent substance abuse, and facilitate drug user rehabilitation.
But while contributing, Senator Sumaila said the institute would not help the situation until politicians change their way of doing things.
The Kano Senator suggested that to get rid of drug abuse and peddling, all politicians seeking elective offices must be made to undergo drug test.
The lawmaker challenged politicians including his colleagues at the Senate to swear with the Qur’an or Holy Bible, that they were not culpable.
He said, “What do we do during our campaigns? I will suggest that those who seek elective offices undergo a drug test. Some of our political leaders are into drug abuse. Let’s go through the test and see who is who.”
Sumaila was however, ruled out of order by the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, who presided over the session.
Barau said his contribution was not relevant to the subject of the debate.
After contributions by senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), Salihu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central), Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) and many others, the bill scaled second reading.
The bill was referred to the Senate committee on drugs and narcotics for further legislative action. Senator Barau gave the committee four weeks within which to report back to the committee of the whole.
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