Anglican Church seeks mandatory drug tests for public office holders, candidates

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has called for a constitution amendment to make drug and substance abuse tests mandatory for serving public office holders and individuals seeking elective or appointive positions in the country.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 15th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria held at Our Saviour’s Church, Ikenne, in Ogun State, from September 14 to 18, 2026.

The communiqué was signed by the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, Ven. Festus Chukwunyere; the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah; and the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba.

The Synod expressed concern over what it described as the growing menace of drug trafficking, substance abuse and addiction in Nigeria, particularly among young people.

According to the Church, the problem is increasingly linked to violent crime, insecurity, gang activities, and their negative impacts on mental health, family wellbeing and the economy.

“The Synod calls on government and relevant agencies to intensify public education, prevention, enforcement, rehabilitation and reintegration, with stronger collaboration among Government, schools, families, communities, the Church and relevant agencies,” the communiqué stated.

It further urged the consideration of “a constitutional amendment requiring mandatory, credible and periodic drug and substance-abuse testing for serving public officers and persons seeking elective or appointive public office and appropriate sanctions for verified violations.”

The Synod also addressed issues relating to insecurity, the economy, healthcare, education, food security, national unity and the 2027 general elections.

On the forthcoming elections, the Church called on Nigerians, political leaders and political parties to place national unity, peace and the common good above partisan interests.

“Political actors and citizens should reject hate speech, violence, intimidation, vote-buying and misinformation, embracing issue-based campaigns and peaceful participation,” it said.

The Synod also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to uphold “neutrality, transparency and credibility” in the conduct of elections, while calling on the judiciary to remain independent and impartial in election-related matters.

On insecurity, the Church urged governments at all levels to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve surveillance of ungoverned spaces and reclaim territories under the control of terrorists.

The Synod further expressed concern over the country’s worsening food crisis, attributing it to conflict, climate change, hyperinflation and rising farming costs.

It called on the government to restore security in farming communities, invest heavily in mechanised agriculture, provide single-digit interest loans, transparently subsidise farm inputs, reduce post-harvest losses and establish a transparent Agriculture Trust Fund.

“Farmers must be empowered to feed the nation,” the Church stated.