The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has in strong terms rejected comments made by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.


It dismissed his critique of the party as ‘misguided, politically bitter, and irrelevant.’

The PDP stated that it neither seeks nor requires Lawal’s validation to shape its future or Nigeria’s political direction.


This came on Wednesday in Abuja, where the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, through his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Yusuf Dingyadi, addressed Lawal’s remarks.

Recall that during an appearance on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’, Lawal had described the PDP as having an ‘incurable virus’ and declared it a no-go area for any opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a rebuttal, the PDP said, “While Mr. Lawal is entitled to his personal opinions, we wish to make it categorically clear that the PDP does not seek, nor is it begging, for his support or validation in shaping the future of our party or the political direction of this country.”


The opposition party stressed its status as Nigeria’s most experienced, nationally rooted and enduring political party, capable of weathering storms and rescuing the country from the failings of the current administration.

The party equally questioned Lawal’s political relevance, noting that his tenure in public office is remembered more for controversies than for impactful contributions.

“The same cannot be said of Mr. Babachir Lawal, whose tenure in public office is remembered more for controversies than for impact.


“Rather than being an asset, his political antecedents portray him more as a liability to any serious political project,” Damagum said.

The PDP reaffirmed its focus on rebuilding, reuniting and repositioning itself for victory in 2027, emphasizing its openness to constructive alliances based on shared values and institutional integrity.

It dismissed Lawal’s comments as a desperate attempt to remain relevant in national discourse and urged its members, supporters, and the general public to ignore them.


The party reiterated its commitment to restoring hope, rebuilding the nation, and reclaiming leadership for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has reflected on a time when Nigeria boasted a vibrant National Assembly, capable of overriding presidential vetoes on important bills.

Jonathan made these remarks on Wednesday evening at the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards Dinner, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Honoured with the Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award, Jonathan recalled his eagerness to sign the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Bill into law. He noted that the bill, sponsored by Senator Lee Maeba of Rivers State and others, was a product of a truly dynamic legislature.

“When I was acting President in 2010, and the National Assembly presented the bill, I promptly signed it and we quickly established a monitoring body. Someone like Lee Maeba, the bill’s originator, and his group also deserve recognition. That was a period when the National Assembly truly lived up to its name,” Jonathan said.

He further highlighted the Assembly’s assertiveness, recalling how it passed the Niger Delta Development Commission bill into law despite President Obasanjo’s reluctance to sign it.

“In 2000, the NDDC bill was also vetoed by the National Assembly. They overrode President Obasanjo’s refusal. Typically, in other countries, it is the President who vetoes bills.

“But in Nigeria, during the law-making process, it is the National Assembly that can exercise the veto. If the President does not assent to a bill within 30 days, the National Assembly can reconvene and, with a two-thirds majority calculated by headcount, not voice vote—enact the bill into law.


“That is how the NDDC Act came into being, thanks to a truly vibrant National Assembly.

“I would like to use this opportunity to commend Lee Maeba and his team,” Jonathan concluded

Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki have emerged as the top three crime hotspots in Lagos State, according to data from the Lagos State Criminal Information System (LCIS).

This was disclosed by the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), during a ministerial press briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

“Between January 2024 and May 2025, the top three crime locations in Lagos State were Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki,” Pedro stated, citing recent LCIS statistics.

He noted that the data underscored growing concerns about public safety and the concentration of criminal activity in key urban centres of the state.

The Attorney-General revealed that from 2018 to May 2025, the LCIS recorded a total of 74,962 cases and inmates across Lagos.

He lamented the burden placed on the state’s correctional facilities, disclosing that they are currently operating at 106 per cent above their intended capacity.

“As of May 2025, the combined inmate population stood at 9,096,” he said, adding that this figure “far exceeds the infrastructure’s built capacity.”

Describing the LCIS as a transformative initiative, Pedro explained that the system was designed to streamline justice delivery and enhance transparency within the criminal justice process.

“It serves as a digital repository of all criminal cases pending in Magistrate and High Courts where defendants are in custody or on bail. It also includes biometric data, personal information, and offence records,” he explained.

The data showed that between January 2024 and May 2025 alone, over 10,000 suspects and cases were processed through the system, with 64 per cent of convictions secured via plea bargains.

The data further showed that a significant proportion of suspects originated from Ogun and Oyo States, outnumbering those from other parts of Nigeria.

On social disorder-related issues, the Directorate of Citizen Rights received 6,601 petitions during the review period.

Out of these, 4,443 cases were successfully resolved, 1,882 remain unresolved, while 285 were referred to other relevant government agencies.

Pedro also highlighted the Ministry’s interventions in supporting victims financially.

“A total of ₦7.3 million was recovered on behalf of petitioners, with ₦3 million awarded through court rulings,” he said.



Domestic, Sexual Violence

Turning to domestic and sexual violence cases, the Attorney-General disclosed that 213 cases of child neglect were handled, alongside 272 cases of child physical abuse and 147 cases of child sexual abuse.

Additionally, 57 children were rescued from abusive environments and placed in private and government shelters through the collaboration of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

As part of ongoing justice sector reforms, the Ministry has launched a Public Advisory Centre to provide free legal guidance and information to Lagos residents seeking redress or navigating government services.

Pedro reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology and legal innovation to strengthen the state’s justice system and build public trust.