‘NNPP Too Small for Me, Kwankwaso Never Reached Out While I Was in Prison,’ Says Faruk Lawan
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News.

Former House of Representatives member, Faruk Lawan, has revealed that Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), never contacted him during his imprisonment, even up to a year after regaining his freedom.

Lawan, who was recently pardoned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 9, 2025, after being convicted of corruption charges, made the remarks in a BBC Hausa interview, where he also declared his decision to part ways politically with the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“A whole year has passed, and he hasn’t called to wish me well or pray for me,” Lawan said, noting that while mutual respect remains between them, their political paths have now diverged.

“NNPP Too Small for Me,” Lawan Declares

In what many analysts see as a subtle indication of a political realignment, Lawan stated that he now seeks to operate on a broader, national scale, distancing himself from what he described as the NNPP’s limited 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 said.

According to Akahi News, Lawan’s comments come at a time of growing tension within the NNPP, as several founding members have either resigned or expressed dissatisfaction with Kwankwaso’s leadership style.

Prison Experience and True Loyalty

Reflecting on his time behind bars, Lawan said imprisonment gave him clarity about who his real allies were.

“Whenever God places you in a trial, He illuminates for you who your allies are and who are not. In such a place, you have a long time to reflect on your relationships,” he explained.

He contrasted Kwankwaso’s silence with the consistent support he received from former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, whom he described as a true friend.

“There is not a week that will pass without Ganduje calling me. We would talk for an hour — about my welfare, the case, and lawyer arrangements,” he recalled.

Akahi News gathered that Lawan also received regular visits from National Assembly members and a 10-member committee sent by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, showing institutional concern for his wellbeing.

“Tinubu Did What Was Right” — Lawan

Describing his presidential pardon as a fresh start, Lawan expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called an act of fairness and justice.

“If one faces a trial and God presents a chance for pardon, then one must rejoice. It was a day of joy for my family, my supporters, and everyone who stood by me,” he said.
“We also gave thanks to God and to the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for doing what was right and deserving of commendation.”

Lawan added that his faith kept him strong throughout his ordeal, helping him to stay optimistic and calm even while in confinement.

“Before leaving prison, my mind was already at peace. I was convinced that wherever I go, I would find people to relate with. If others could survive there, I saw no reason why I couldn’t survive outside,” he concluded.

A Signal of Political Realignment

Political observers told Akahi News that Lawan’s comments could mark a turning point in northern political dynamics, especially given his historical influence within the House of Representatives and his former proximity to the Kwankwasiyya network.

Analysts believe his declaration of independence from the NNPP — coupled with his praise for Tinubu — might signal a gradual move toward the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), or at least a renewed alignment with national political forces.

As the dust settles on his pardon, Faruk Lawan appears poised to reinvent his political career — not as a regional loyalist, but as a national figure seeking broader relevance within Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.

Akahi News — http://www.akahinews.org