Mon. May 25th, 2026
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Prince Eniola Ojajuni, presidential candidate of
the Alliance for Democracy (AD), has stepped down his presidential
ambition for Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African
Action Congress (AAC).

Ojajuni made his decision known while speaking with
SaharaReporters, as while as via a press statement signed by him
and his campaign team in Lagos on Thursday.

He said he dropped his ambition in order to collaborate with
(AAC) so as to propel the country to greatness.

According to Ojajuni, given the alternatives available for
Nigeria, the AAC presidential candidate will best serve the
interest of Nigerians.

“I stepped down because we want to create alternatives for PDP
and APC and also to encourage other political parties to join
Omoyele Sowore, because he has what it takes to take Nigeria to
glory and move the country forward, so as to bring the dignity of
the country back,” he said.

Speaking further, Ojajuni assured AAC that 85 per cent of the
party leaders are in support of his decision, as he made
consultations before taking the decision.

“The party leaders are aware and they are fully in support of my
decision. Alliance for Democracy (AD) is a well structured party;
85 per cent are with me and they are ready to back me up,2 he
added.

Answering the question on whether there is a motive behind his
adoption of AAC, he said there were a lot of factors considered
such as the integrity and credibility of the candidate, as well as
“the need to save Nigerians from the two corrupt political
parties”.

He continued: “I’m not one of those youth that will support
a party because of money. If I want money, I would have supported
either APC or PDP. I can’t support those two parties because they
are the ones that have looted the whole economy.

“It is only in Nigeria a 40-year-old man will still be living in
his father’s house and lots of graduates are roaming the streets
without jobs. The same set of leaders that have been ruling us for
the past 60 years are still the ones ruling. How can someone who is
85 years old want to determine my life at 40?

“We are not desperate for money, position or power. We are just
desperate to take Nigerians from poverty and to take this country
back from the looters who have plundered the economy to dryness. I
believe in the integrity of Omoyele Sowore and that the youth can
do it.”

He assured AAC party of “over four million votes across the
country” and urged the youth and Nigerians “not to commit a blunder
by voting either the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming election”.

“I’m assuring the party of over four million votes across the
country. I now use this medium to urge every youth to come out on
February 16 to support Omoyele Sowore, because I really believe in
him and the party.”

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By admin

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.