ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian entrepreneur and nightlife promoter Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has said President Bola Tinubu does not fully trust him because of his Igbo background and his past support for Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking in a chat with fellow socialite Shina Peller, Okechukwu explained that his work for Obi in 2023 still casts a shadow over his relationship with Tinubu. “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.
Cubana Chief Priest, who once picked up the APC House of Representatives nomination form for Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State, later lost his bid for the ticket. Despite that setback, he has remained politically active as the Imo State Coordinator of the City Boys Movement, a grassroots group that campaigned vigorously for Tinubu in 2023.
Although he initially backed Obi, he abandoned the Labour Party candidate after concluding that Tinubu had the stronger chance of winning. He has since thrown his weight behind the president, telling followers he does not want to “lose for a second time with Peter Obi.”
Social media reactions to his political journey have been mixed. Many mocked his failed bid for the APC ticket, while others praised his resilience. Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, offered encouragement in a post shared on Instagram, urging him not to be discouraged by setbacks.
