A former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, who recently completed a five-year jail term for bribery, has alleged manipulation in last Saturday’s State Assembly bye-election in Kano State.
Lawan, who chaired the House ad-hoc committee that probed the fuel subsidy scandal under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012, broke his silence in a Facebook post on Monday, accusing the ruling NNPP of perpetrating injustice during the vote in Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies.
Writing in Hausa, he stated, “I wish to take this moment to thank Allah (SWA), the Exalted King who owns and controls everything,” before appreciating supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) “from far and near, particularly the good people of Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa local government areas.”
Lawan, who once represented Bagwai/Shanono in the House of Representatives, maintained that his party’s mandate was stolen.
“Truly, you made remarkable efforts and sacrifices, honouring the call to come out and vote as always. However, by Allah’s decree, everyone witnessed the injustice meted out to us by the ruling opposition party in Kano State during this bye-election,” he claimed.
He urged supporters to remain calm, promising that the APC would explore all legal and political options to reclaim “our stolen victory.”
“By God’s grace, we will soon take the necessary steps. May Allah reward our supporters abundantly for the love and loyalty you continue to show us day and night,” he prayed.