Perhaps, it is only those who were born yesterday who would not remember Farouk Lawan. He is one Nigerian politician many would not forget in a hurry, especially for his bold stance on issues, for his vocal fight against corruption.
The lawmaker who served four terms at the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly was always in the news for these laudable reasons. To many, he was a warrior and a hero.
Sadly, Lawan, famously described as Mr Integrity, fell and exited the exalted chamber in a very controversial circumstance. He got greedy, covetous, and deep his hands into the cookie jar and was involved in the same corruption many thought he detested and fought against.
His indictment for demanding and collecting a $500,000 bribe from oil and gas magnate, Femi Otedola, was nothing but a huge disappointment to those who had hailed him for seeming ‘anti-corruption’ stance.
The ugly incident became a big blot on his political career, exposed his Achilles’ heel and maybe confirmed that, after all, he had a price tag. He strived very hard to burnish his dented image and revive his political career. However, the more he tried, the more he literally got stuck in the mud and sank deeper. He was jailed, but was released last October.
Since he returned, he has tried to pick up the pieces of what’s left of his political career, but he has been shunned by those he thought were his loyalists, while many no longer reckon with him.
But it seems the former lawmaker may have a reason to smile again. Last week, his name was among the 175 persons Presidential Pardon list.
What a happy time for the former Mr. integrity.
Leave a comment