Tension rose in the National Assembly on Tuesday when Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) made shocking allegations, accusing several of his colleagues of being involved in drug abuse while performing their official duties. His explosive claims came during a debate on a Bill to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.
Sumaila boldly claimed that many senators were in possession of hard drugs, which they allegedly kept in their constituency offices and homes. He went on to assert that some senators had connections with drug dealers, an allegation that is expected to provoke further discussion and investigation within the Senate.
“As I am speaking now, most of our offices in our constituencies, most of our political offices, and even our houses are stocked with drugs, and drug dealers are working from these locations,” Sumaila stated. He further alleged that some senior politicians were supporting drug dealers in carrying out illegal activities, calling for a more serious approach to the issue.
The senator challenged his colleagues to swear on the Qur’an or the Bible that they had not supported drug abuse during their election campaigns. “Let us ask ourselves during our campaigns, what are we doing with the so-called youth? How many of us can swear with the Qur’an or Bible that they are not in any way supporting drug abusers in their constituencies?” he questioned.
Sumaila advocated for mandatory drug tests for politicians before they contest elections or assume political office. “We need a situation where before contesting elections, or before taking up an office at any level in government, you must undergo a drug test,” he emphasized, calling for collaboration between the Senate and relevant stakeholders to combat drug abuse in the country.
Despite the seriousness of his allegations, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, ruled Sumaila out of order, stating that his comments were not relevant to the bill under debate. “Our contributions should be relevant to the subject matter. In this case, your contribution is not relevant to the bill. I therefore rule you out of order,” Barau concluded.
Sumaila's comments, however, have ignited a broader conversation on drug abuse and the role of politicians in curbing or encouraging the vice within their constituencies.