Celebrity businessman and nightlife entrepreneur Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has denied participating in the All Progressives Congress primary election for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State, insisting that he voluntarily withdrew from the contest before the exercise took place.
The socialite made the clarification after widespread reports claimed he lost the APC ticket to incumbent lawmaker Canice Nwachukwu during the party’s primary ahead of the 2027 general elections. Earlier reports and viral videos circulating online suggested Cubana Chief Priest had suffered a major political setback after allegedly securing only a few votes in the contest.
However, in a series of statements shared on social media, Cubana Chief Priest explained that he stepped down from the race after consultations with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and other party stakeholders. According to him, the APC leadership presented the zoning arrangement guiding the constituency, which he said indicated that Orlu Local Government Area should complete its turn before power rotates to another area. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
He described himself as a loyal member of the APC and said he chose to respect the party’s internal agreement rather than proceed with the primary election. The businessman stated that once the decision was communicated to him in the early hours before the primary, he stayed away completely and returned to Lagos instead of participating in the exercise.
Despite his withdrawal, Cubana Chief Priest maintained that his political ambition was driven by genuine concern for the development of the constituency and dissatisfaction with the performance of the current representative. He noted that his desire to contest was rooted in what he believed to be the need for stronger representation and improved leadership for the people of Orsu, Orlu, and Oru East federal constituency.
The controversy surrounding the APC primary generated major reactions online because Cubana Chief Priest has become one of the most visible celebrity supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling APC in recent years. He was also appointed as the Imo State coordinator of the City Boy Movement, a political support group linked to Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
His clarification has now sparked mixed reactions among supporters and critics, with some applauding his decision to respect party structure while others questioned the conflicting narratives surrounding the primary election. The development further highlights the growing involvement of entertainers and social media personalities in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next general elections.
