Prominent Nigerian socialite Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has announced his defection to President Bola Tinubu's camp ahead of the 2027 general elections—marking a dramatic reversal from his 2022 declaration that "only an Igbo president could fix Nigeria."
The nightlife entrepreneur made his position known via Instagram on Tuesday following his appointment as a director of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Imo State.
"Better to Fight From Inside"
In a series of posts, Cubana Chief Priest framed his political realignment as a strategic decision to advocate for South-Eastern interests from within government rather than from the opposition.
"When I Say City Boy, You Say Empowerment. SouthEast I Big Announcement. Our Voice Is Now Inside Screaming Super Loud & Clear. It's Better To Fight From Inside Than Outside," he wrote.
He encouraged his followers to join the movement, describing it as "a brotherhood where hope, success, empowerment and achievement is guaranteed." He also announced plans to appoint a female deputy state director and local government chairpersons across all 27 LGAs in Imo.
Confronting the Critics
The declaration immediately attracted scrutiny. When one follower asked directly: "So in simple terms, you are working against Obi in the upcoming presidential election?" Cubana Chief Priest responded without equivocation: "Yes Oh."
He clarified that his support for Peter Obi was confined to the 2023 election cycle, adding: "Hope say no be crime cuz I worked for Obi last election even as special adviser to an APC Governor."
From Kanu Condition to Tinubu Endorsement*
The announcement represents a particularly sharp pivot. Just three months ago, the socialite issued a public warning to President Tinubu, asserting that he could not secure 10,000 votes in the South-East without the release of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
No explanation was offered for the abandonment of that condition, and Kanu remains in detention at the Sokoto custodial centre following his 2025 terrorism conviction.
Mixed Reactions*
The move has generated polarized responses across social media. While some applaud what they view as pragmatic engagement with power, others accuse the socialite of abandoning principle for political patronage.
The episode underscores the complex calculations facing South-Eastern influencers as 2027 approaches, navigating between regional sentiments and access to federal power.
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