Kano Senator Sumaila Abdulrahman-Kawu has said that politicians must take a larger share of the blame for the widespread abuse of hard drugs in the country.
Abdulrahman-Kawu, a member of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), accused politicians of not only procuring drugs for the youth but also encouraging them to consume the hard substances so that they could carry out illegal activities on their behalf in the name of politics.
According to the lawmaker who represents the Kano-South Senatorial District, politicians stock drugs in their homes and also fund the channels for regular supplies, especially during electioneering.
He refrained from giving specific examples or names of politicians culpable in the illegal acts.
“How many of us here can swear with the Quran or the Bible, that they are not supporting drug-related activities in their communities? How many of us?”Abdulrahman-Kawu asked his colleagues in Abuja on Tuesday.
He was contributing to a debate on “A Bill for an Act to Establish National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, to Coordinate and Promote Drug Awareness, Prevent Substance Abuse and Facilitate the Rehabilitation of Drug Users and for Related Matters, 2024.”
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Rufa’i Hanga (NNPP, Kano-Central) and came up for the debate of the general principles and second reading on Tuesday.
An existing agency of the Federal Government, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), is also performing the roles proposed by the bill.
As Abdulrahman-Kawu tackled politicians, his colleagues murmured in disagreement, some saying that he was exaggerating the issues.
However, several of the speakers admitted that drug abuse had become a serious concern across Nigeria that required very urgent measures by all stakeholders.
Former Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa-West), though supporting the bill, opposed the idea of creating another agency to handle the responsibilities proposed by the bill.
Dickson noted that the existing NDLEA had been up and doing, hence setting up another body would amount to duplication of duties.
However, he supported the passage of the bill for a second reading for stakeholders, including the NDLEA, to thoroughly examine it and decide whether a new drug control agency in Nigeria was necessary.
As the debate progressed, it was the view of the majority of senators that the bill duplicated the job of the NDLEA, but presiding Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, ruled in support of passing the bill for second reading following a voice vote.
Jibrin later thanked senators for their insightful inputs to the debate and particularly commended the NDLEA under the current leadership of Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) for expanding the war against illicit drugs.
