Former Nigerian House of Representatives member Faruk Lawan has alleged that Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), never reached out to show concern during his time in prison.
He added that even a year after regaining his freedom, the former governor has not contacted him.
Lawan, who was pardoned by President Bola Tinubu on October 9, 2025, for corruption offences he was convicted of, said that while there is still mutual respect between him and Kwankwaso, he no longer aligns politically with the Kwankwasiyya movement.
“Now a whole year has passed, and he hasn’t called to wish me well, to say ‘May God bring you out of this place’ or to pray for me,” Lawan said, revealing what he described as a lack of support from some of his former political allies.
He said this in an interview with BBC Hausa, further emphasising that the relationship, while respectful, is no longer political.
“Between me and Kwankwaso, there is still respect and relationships, but politically to be sincere, I’m no longer aligning with him and the NNPP,” he said.
Lawan explained that his decision stems from a desire to operate on a broader, national scale, rather than remaining tied to a party he considers limited in reach.
“Even before now, the party I belong to is a national party. I’m not a local politician, and I believe my political reach should be expansive. As it stands now, the NNPP feels too small for me,” he added, signalling a shift in his political ambitions.
Reflecting on his time in prison, Lawan said the experience allowed him to discern who his true allies were.
“Whenever God places you in a trial, He illuminates for you who your allies are and who are not. If you are in such a place (prison), you have a long time to reflect on your relationships,” he said.
Lawan contrasted this with the support he did receive from some political figures.
He recalled that “there is not a week that will pass by that he (former All Progressives Congress National Chairman Umar Ganduje) will not call me for us to talk for an hour, asking me how the situation is, including my lawyer arrangements.”
Some National Assembly members and a 10-member committee sent by the House Speaker also visited him, demonstrating concern and assisting with his eventual release.
The former lawmaker described his presidential pardon as a fresh start.
“If one faces a trial and God presents a chance for pardon, then one must rejoice,” he said
“Honestly, my family, my supporters, wherever they are, we all know that the day this happened was a day of joy for all of us.”
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu.
“It was also a day we gave thanks to God, for He delivered us, and to thank the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for doing what was right and deserving of commendation,” he said, highlighting Tinubu’s role in granting the pardon.
Reflecting on his faith and resilience during imprisonment, Lawan concluded: “This made it so that even before leaving prison, my mind was at ease, and I was convinced that wherever I would go, I would find people to interact with. If they could survive there, I saw no reason why I couldn’t survive outside.”
