Former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, has described his recent presidential pardon by President Bola Tinubu as a chance to begin a new chapter in life, particularly in politics.
Lawan was among 175 persons granted clemency on Thursday, October 9, 2025, following recommendations from the Council of State.
The former lawmaker, who represented Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency of Kano State, was convicted in 2021 for soliciting and receiving bribes in 2012 — an offence linked to efforts to remove a company’s name from a list of firms indicted in the fuel subsidy fraud scandal. He was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Federal High Court on June 22, 2021.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna, Lawan expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and reflected on the lessons learned from his ordeal.
“When someone goes through a trial and Allah grants a chance for pardon, you must be thankful. My family and well-wishers across the world were filled with joy when the news broke,” he said.
“It was indeed a day of thanksgiving to Allah, for He made it possible, and to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for doing what is right — something worthy of commendation,” he added.
Reflecting on his time in prison, Lawan said he had accepted his fate and found peace, trusting that “no one can escape destiny.”
“Before I even got to prison, my mind was at peace. I knew that wherever I was going, I would meet people, and if others could survive there, I too could live through it,” he stated.
Since his release in 2024, Lawan said he has realigned his political direction, parting ways with the Kwankwasiyya movement, which he had long been associated with.
He explained that though he was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before his imprisonment, he later instructed his supporters to join the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) ahead of the 2023 elections — a decision they followed.
“When Allah allows you to face trials, He also opens your eyes to see who your true allies are,” he said. “When you’re in a place like prison, you have enough time to reflect deeply on your relationships.”
Lawan disclosed that despite his past closeness to the Kwankwasiyya movement, a prominent figure in the group had neither reached out nor offered prayers since his release.
“It’s been a year now, and not even a phone call from him — not to say, ‘Thank you, Allah, you’re out,’ or to offer a prayer for me,” he lamented.
However, he clarified that while he no longer identifies politically with the group, he still holds Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, its leader, in high regard.
Lawan concluded that his current focus is on working with a political platform that has “broader national acceptance.”
