Buba Marwa, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says officers of the agency arrested some politicians in possession of illicit drugs.
Marwa said this on Sunday when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Hard Copy’.
The chairman said he was “somewhat disappointed” that the drive to have public officers undergo drug-tests before they assume office did not go through.
“But the idea is not original. We are promoting what is going on already in Kano state. In kano state, all politicians under the governor’s party, aspiring for an office, must first demonstrate in the screening process that they are drug negative and I’m in full support of that,” he said.
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“We have arrested politicians who either are holding political office or have retired. Recently one of them was jailed in Lagos, he was trying to smuggle 1kg, maybe to use it to run for office.
“As you know, the cartels also participate in political institutions, they actually fund candidates into the various levels so that the correct laws (that favour them) are enacted.”
Speaking on the rehabilitation of drug users, the NDLEA chief said there is a dearth of rehab centres “and there are thousands if not millions of drug users who need help but there’s no where to go. And so they snuck back into their bedrooms and continue to take drugs”.
“Right now we have just 11 model rehab centres in the country which is very low. The Presidential Advisory Committee on Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) recommended that there should be about three centres per state looking at the prevalence and the federal government already through the ministry of health, has agreed to build one more rehab centre in every state,” he said.
THE CABLE
INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.
The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.
The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.
On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.
Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.
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Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.
“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.
“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.
“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.
“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.
She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.
However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.
During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.
FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr
The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.
He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.
In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.
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Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.
He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.
“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.
He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.
On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.
JUST-IN: Ex-Oyo gov Ajimobi’s first child Bisola dies At 42
Busola, the first child of former Oyo Governor, late Abiola Ajimobi is dead.
The Nation gathered that Bisola, 42, died after a brief illness in the UK.
She was a Special Adviser to Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
She was married to Kolapo Kola-Daisi, with whom she shared blessed three children.
Former Senator Teslim Folarin confirmed the incident.
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He wrote on Facebook:
“I am deeply saddened to receive the news of the passing of Mrs. Bisola Kola-Daisi (Nee Ajimobi), the beloved daughter of my cousin, the late Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, and former First Lady of Oyo State, Her Excellency (Dr.) Florence Ajimobi. Bisola’s untimely death has left an unfillable void in our hearts, and I can only imagine the pain of a parent burying their child.
“As someone who had the privilege of knowing Bisola as a dear family member – she was like a daughter to me – her passing has left me with a profound sense of personal loss.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Ajimobi family, particularly former First Lady, H.E Florence Ajimobi . May God grant us the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
May Bisola’s soul rest in perfect peace.”
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JUST-IN: Ex-Oyo gov Ajimobi’s first child Bisola dies At 42
