Local Government Polls: Kano Insists On Mandatory Drug Test For Aspirants

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

All Aspirants to various offices at the Local Council level in Kano State are to undergo a mandatory drug test before being cleared to participate in the exercise.

The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC,  which announced the measure on Wednesday July 31, 2024, has also scheduled the Local Government polls for November 30, 2024.

Only last weekend, the State’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Gwarzo, at the formal launch of the Forum for State Commissioners of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abuja informed that Kano State was poised to conduct a free and fair Council Polls in deference to the Supreme Court decision .

He also assured that the State will go the whole hog in enthroning a full scale Local Council Autonomy .

The Source reports that the highest Court in the land had on Thursday, June 20, 2024, ruled to affirm the financial independence of the Third Tier of Government in Nigeria.

The Supreme Court in its verdict also directed that all accruals from the Federation Account  to Councils under unelected officials be withheld.

The ruling has since jolted States into fast tracking election processes in the Local Governments.

The last time election was held for Local Council offices in Kano was on January 16, 2021.

Addressing the Media the Chairman of KANSIEC, Professor Sani Malunfashi, warned that he will not hesitate to expose  attempts by any aspirants to compromise the drug test exercise and or the outcome of the election proper.

He re-echoed the earlier promise by the State Deputy Governor that the Elections will be free,and fair.

The Election will be conducted in all the 484 wards of the 44 Local Councils of the State .

Principally, should the All Progressive Congress APC decide to participate,  the battle will then be a straight one between it and the  ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP.

Governor Abba Yusuf ,and his political mentor, former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso are the propelling force in the NNPP, while immediate past Governor  of the state Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will be leading the battle for the APC of which he is the current National Chairman.