The Lagos State PDP Vice Chairman (Central), Hakeem Olalemi, says the party will not miss Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara following his defection to the APC.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, Olalemi described Fubara’s move as a personal quest for political protection rather than a reaction to national party issues.

“He believes President Tinubu can give him the protection he seeks,” Olalemi said. “His crisis predates whatever is happening in the PDP. It is not a PDP problem.”

He criticised some party members for refusing to follow due process and the constitution, arguing that shortcuts and internal lawlessness were responsible for the PDP’s troubles.

Olalemi added that the governor had been largely absent from PDP activities for years, making his departure less consequential.

“For the past two years, have you seen him in PDP programmes? No. So what exactly are we supposed to miss?” he asked.

He expressed confidence that the PDP would stabilise soon and wished Fubara well in his new political home.

Fubara officially announced his defection on Tuesday, saying he owed his political survival to President Tinubu and would likely have lost his office without the president’s backing.