HON. FAROUK LAWAN’S DESPERATE MOVES

FAROUK LAWAN

For those who are conversant with the political happenings and drama of the green chambers since 1999, would attest to the fact that  at the mention of the name Hon. Farouk Lawan, a fierce legislator, witty in nature, and of all politically sound; all feet will tremble. The Kano state born politician was elected to the green chambers representing the Bagwai/Shanono, Federal Constituency Kano State. Lawan rose to his political crescendo after her served as the chairman House Committee on Finance under former speaker Aminu Bello Masari. Farouk galvanized some important issues, revealing some fraudulent activities, his fearless and uncompromising nature despite wavering storm by strong political opposition earned him the moniker ‘Mr. Integrity’.

Lawan, however, associates with vital issues on Appropriation, Information and Education. He also formed a caucus in the house called the ‘Integrity Group’ which opposed the then first female speaker of the House Patricia Etteh after being paraded for financial mismanagement which later led to her resignation.

Mr. Integrity, became a force to reckon with as his controversial nature and outstanding integrity can’t be overlooked. After being elected for his fourth term in 2011, Lawan’s political odyssey took a negative twist as his moniker became the opposite. Lawan was bestowed with a post as the Chairman of House Committee to investigate the Nigeria government on fuel subsidy. At that very moment, Lawan never knew the post that came as a blessing in disguise would eventually sink his political career. According to report by Lawan and his other committee members, lot’s of fraudulent activities were detected. A whooping 6.8 million dollars was being paid for petroleum products subsidy that was never delivered.

Farouk’s political career received a jab, the human in him unleashed, greed took over him, his integrity was put to test. Farouk solicited for bribe from one of alleged beneficiary of the subsidy, Femi Otedola Of Zenon and Synopsis. Farouk demanded for 3million dollars as kickback to cancel the name of Otedola’s companies from his report before presenting it to the house; He was later paid 500,000 Dollars by Otedola in cash. On collecting the cash, Lawan was caught on camera planted, afterwards, his political career crumbled like the biblical wall of Jericho.

When Lawan, saw that he might be indicted by the footage, showing how He collected bribe from Otedola, He quickly played a fast one claiming he collected the cash to expose blackmail, and was going to inform the committee and House about it; trying to avert arrest from the anti-graft E.F.C.C. He was arrested along side his cohorts suspected for same bribery scandal and charged to court.

Ever since his ordeal with EFCC, The political empire He struggled to build over the years crumbled, as, things has fallen apart for him, that the Centre can no longer hold. He is no where to be found in the Kano state politics. Farouk, at a time, was speculated to become the Governor of Kano state, but his greed made the dream unrealizable, as his thought has faded off into oblivion. Source close to the lawmaker revealed that his constituents vowed never to forgive him for the shameful stigma he brought upon them. Farouk have lost his political will and clout to his current misadventure and political misfortune as he is struggling for political relevance. Mr. Integrity is now a shadow of it’s old self.

Cityspy gathered that the former Legislator is desperate to bounce back from his political woes, as every attempt to achieve that, always hit the rock. Farouk is currently restructuring his political empire, also planning underground to defect to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), believing that if he defects, he would be forgiven by those he disappointed and be given a fresh opportunity to make amends for his mistakes.