Months after regaining his freedom, former House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan is attracting fresh attention with his frequent presence at events organized by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite not formally declaring his membership.
Lawan, who represented the Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency of Kano State from 1999 to 2015, was released from prison in October last year after serving a five-year sentence for bribery. Upon his release, he described the moment as “the beginning of a new chapter.”
Since then, he has been repeatedly seen alongside prominent APC figures, particularly the party’s national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Their public appearances have fueled speculation about Lawan’s political future and potential realignment.
In December, Lawan returned to Bagwai/Shanono for the first time since his release, wearing the signature red cap associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
During his visit, he told constituents that he was home not just for political reasons, but also to pay condolences, show respect to traditional rulers, and sympathize with ill families.
Describing himself as a “freelancer in politics,” Lawan said, “I don’t belong to anybody,” while emphasizing that his experiences had made him “a better person” and expressing gratitude for his freedom.
However, Lawan’s recent activities suggest a quiet but steady shift toward the APC, leaving political observers and constituents speculating.
“He is always with Ganduje, attending APC functions, and associating with our party bigwigs. But up till today, he has not openly declared his defection,” said Bashir Yusuf, an APC member from Shanono.
Another party member, Auwalu Musa Farururwa, noted, “What we know is that Farouk Lawan has distanced himself from all PDP and NNPP Kwankwasiyya activities. That is enough for us to understand that he has shifted ground.”
Efforts by Kano Times to obtain Lawan’s comment on his current political stance were unsuccessful.