Socialite opens up on political setback, loyalty shift to APC, and doubts over Peter Obi’s 2027 chances after failed Imo Reps bid

Nigerian entrepreneur and nightlife promoter, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has revealed that he believes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not fully trust him, citing both his Igbo identity and his previous support for Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking during a live chat with content creator Peller on Tuesday evening, Cubana Chief Priest said he senses a level of skepticism from the President.

“Let me tell you, as I am now, Tinubu doesn’t really trust me as an Igbo man. He looks at me with one eye. He is still like, ‘this one that has worked for Peter Obi before,’” he said.

The celebrity barman acknowledged that he actively supported Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, but later distanced himself, insisting he no longer believes Obi has the political strength to defeat Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

His comments come months after his own political ambition suffered a setback. Cubana Chief Priest had purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State. However, he failed to secure the party’s ticket.

In the aftermath of the loss, he attempted to downplay his participation, telling supporters he never actually contested. The move drew widespread reactions on social media, with critics accusing him of underestimating the complexity and intensity of Nigerian politics.

Despite the defeat, Cubana Chief Priest has remained aligned with the APC. As the Imo State Coordinator of the pro-Tinubu City Boys Movement, he publicly reaffirmed his support for the President, stating he would not risk “losing again” by backing Peter Obi.

Following the primary outcome, Seyi Tinubu, son of the President, reached out with a message of encouragement via Instagram. In the post, which Cubana Chief Priest later shared, Seyi urged him to remain resilient, emphasizing that setbacks can serve as stepping stones to future success.

Cubana Chief Priest’s latest remarks add a personal dimension to ongoing conversations about trust, political loyalty, and ethnic dynamics within Nigeria’s evolving power landscape ahead of 2027.