The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) will conduct drug tests on chairmanship and councillorship candidates of all political parties contesting the upcoming local government elections.

The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Sani Lawal Malumfashi, stated this during an official visit to the headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano on Tuesday.

Prof. Malumfashi emphasized that the Commission is set to test candidates running for chairman and councillorship positions for drug use.

While seeking the support and cooperation of the NDLEA in conducting the drug tests, he requested that the agency submit the results to the commission to determine the eligibility of candidates based on the outcome of the tests.

He maintained that the current electoral commission in the state is committed to ensuring that individuals who abuse drugs do not gain executive power in local government, given its proximity to the grassroots.

Malumfashi added that drug users in local government leadership would worsen the drug abuse situation in the state and could even bankrupt the local government by promoting and increasing drug abuse and related offenses.

The Chairman also sought the agency’s support in ensuring security during and after the elections, noting that the NDLEA is an integral part of the election process.

In his response, the State Commander of the NDLEA, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, assured the commission’s chairman that his command is ready to provide all necessary support and cooperation to conduct a hitch-free election in the state.

In a statement signed by the Director of Public Enlightenment of the Commission, Bashir Habib Yahaya, it was noted that the event included the presentation of election guidelines and the calendar to the Commander by the Chairman of the commission, while the NDLEA Commander honored Prof. Sani Lawal Malumfashi on behalf of his command.

The Fagge Local Government community and members of the APC in the area have called on President Bola Ahmad Tinubu to appoint their son, Malam Abdulazeez Abdul’azeez, as the President’s spokesperson, following the resignation of Ajuri Ngelale. Abdulazeez currently serves as the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President.

In a statement issued after a meeting of APC stakeholders in Fagge, the APC Youth Leader, Musa Rabiu Fagge, speaking on behalf of the group, highlighted Abdulazeez’s good character, politeness, and dedication to helping the community. He described Abdulazeez as a talented and dedicated journalist who has been serving the president effectively and is well-suited for the role of the President’s spokesperson.

Fagge APC Youth leader

The APC Youth Leader reiterated the community’s call for President Tinubu to consider Abdulazeez for the role, assuring the President that their son would protect the government’s reputation and serve Nigerians with dedication.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has challenged the newly constituted Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI) to unravel sponsors of destruction that greeted the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano.

Inaugurating the 14-men panel lead by retired Justice Lawan Wada Mahmoud on Monday at the Government House, the Governor challenged the panel to investigate killings, looting and destructions of public and private properties with a view to bring perpetrators to justice.

A statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa shortly after the inauguration, Yusuf regretted the economic sabotage incurred during the protest hijacked by hoodlums, but urged the panel to discharge the trust without fear or favour.

The Governor specifically urged the panel to investigate the missing documents at the high court complex especially some criminal files and looting exhibits by the criminal elements.

He directed the commission not to hesitate in their invitation to any individual found wanting to answer questions whether in Kano or anywhere in the country, regardless of status or position in Nigeria.

According to the Governor, ” the setting up of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was in fulfillment of pledge made during the inspection of the destroyed facilities. We want the panel to dig deeper into the remote and immediate causes of the senseless destructions as well as identifying the masterminds for the law of the land to take its full course”.

Other terms of reference set for the Commission include “Establish remote and immediate causes of the first week of August, 2024 breach of the peace, wanton destruction of public and private properties, looting, arson and killings in Kano State; identify individuals, group of persons and/or institutions directly or indirectly responsible for the unrest and their roles in precipitating the unrest and make appropriate recommendations.

The Commission is also required “to ascertain the extent of damage of properties, loss of lives and valuables, and recommend ways of avoiding a recurrence of such happenings in the future and make any other recommendations incidental to the commission’s assignment and its terms of references.

“It is gratifying to know that in carrying out its functions, the commission is to be guided by the provisions of of section 8 of the Kano State Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap 36, Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 2018”.

Other members of the panel are Barrister Tajuddeen Funsho, Alhaji Sani Isa Asia, Prof. Musa Muhammad Borodo, Barrister Sagir Suleiman Gezawa, ACP Munir Madugu, Shehu Abdullahi and Hajiya Gambo Abdullahi.

Others include Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, Rev. Murtala Mati Dangora, Barrister MB. Danazumi, Barrister Haruna Musa Muhammad, Barrister Salisu Marmara who would serve as a Secretary of the Commission.

Chairman, Justice Lawan Wada Mahmud retired, appreciated Kano State government for founding them worthy to handle such assignment despite having many capable personalities at hand.

On behalf of the members of the Commission, Justice Lawan Wada retired, promised to do assignment to the best of their ability without fear or favour and they will justify the confidence in them by the State government.