Emir of Kano, Sanusi wants Nigerian leaders tested for drug abuse

Sanusi made the call at the opening of a two-day Senate roundtable on Drug Abuse Epidemic in Nigeria, organised by the Senate in Kano yesterday.

The emir decried Nigerian leaders who condone the use of illegal substances by their bodyguards and thugs, the Vanguard reports. According to Sanusi, it’s hypocritical to speak out publicly against drug use while employing drugged thugs as bodyguards.

Sanusi also said he is willing to take a drug test, and if found guilty, he will quietly give up his position as the Emir of Kano.

He says: “I will be happy to subject myself to drug test. We deceive ourselves if we say we are not part of the problem. 90 per cent of issues that we have, flourish due to lack of political will.

“Anybody who an element of drug abuse is found in him should quickly resign his position because he is not fit to hold public position.’

“Today, it is better to be a drug baron on the payroll of a political leader, than to be a legally recognised security man, which means we must clean our acts before trying to achieve anything.

“Political leaders employ and support drug addicts as body guards, despite their unlimited access to established security agencies, both public and private.”

Meanwhile the Senate president, Bukola Saraki at the roundtable disccussion said the Senate is pushing for laws that will tackle the menace of drug abuse in the country because of its concern for the future of younger generations of Nigerians. He also spoke on the need for a strong political will to tackle the problem of drug abuse including making available the needed funds.

For more on this story visit the Vanguard website.