The All Progressives Congress, APC has challenged all candidates in the 21 September governorship election in Edo State to compulsory drug tests to ascertain their level of sanity.
The Director of Media of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council, Prince Kassim Afegbua made the call in a statement in Benin.
Afegbua suggested that all candidates must present themselves to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for the compulsory drug tests.
He noted that the test would also enable Edo voters to be well-guided in making informed choices during the elections, to avoid voting for a candidate who would spend the state’s resources in funding drug and alcoholic lifestyles.
“We have been reliably informed that some of them are alleged to be heavy consumers of banned substances, including alcohol. A test for all of them will unveil their level of sanity,” he said.
The compulsory test on the leading candidates will save Edo people of any future embarrassment that may arise. The voters can not be deceived again. Edo State is too decent to have a governor who will bring shame to the people.
According to him, “Edo State is too decent to have a governor who will bring shame to the people.
“Anyone who wants to govern Edo State should not be a heavy consumer of marijuana. This is a banned substance, and we expect the NDLEA to verify and conduct tests on the major candidates.
“Our candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo is prepared to submit himself to any test any time he’s called upon. We expect similar assurances from the other candidates to ascertain their level of sanity
“It will be a big shame for residents of other States to drag our people in the mud for mistakenly voting for a candidate whose state of mind can not be guaranteed. That is a big risk Edo people can not gamble with.
“We are doing this to save our state, and we hope that the NDLEA will quickly swing into action and do the needful.
“As we countdown to 21st of September, we will continue to mount pressure on NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies to come to the aid of Edo people and subject the candidates to compulsory drug tests. The people deserve to know who they are supporting.
“We must unearth any padded candidate who pretends to be a saint during the day but a notorious gangster at night.
“With the insecurity, unemployment, decayed infrastructure, poor healthcare, lack of portable water, and failed education in Edo State, the people deserve a governor with a sane mind to lead us into prosperity,” the statement added.