Nigerian businessman and socialite, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu still finds it difficult to fully trust him because he is Igbo.
Speaking during a conversation with Peller on Tuesday evening, the nightlife promoter explained that his past support for Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election may still be affecting how the President views him today.
According to Cubana Chief Priest, he believes Tinubu remains cautious around him because of his previous political alignment with Obi. He said the President still sees him as someone who once stood firmly behind the former Labour Party presidential candidate.
His comments surfaced shortly after his failed attempt to secure the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives ticket for the Orsu, Orlu and Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State.
Although he had earlier obtained the APC nomination form to contest for the seat, the businessman later told supporters that he was never truly in the race.
Following the outcome of the party exercise, reactions flooded social media, with many users mocking his political setback and suggesting that he may have underestimated the realities of Nigerian politics.
Despite the disappointment, Cubana Chief Priest continued to publicly support President Tinubu. The socialite, who also serves as the Imo State Coordinator of the City Boys Movement, openly declared that he no longer wants to be associated with another political loss alongside Peter Obi.
He also expressed doubt about Obi’s chances of defeating Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
After news of his failed bid spread online, Seyi Tinubu reached out to him with words of encouragement through Instagram. The message was later reposted by Cubana Chief Priest on his page.
In the message, Seyi urged him not to allow the setback discourage him, stressing that temporary disappointments can sometimes open doors to bigger opportunities ahead.
While speaking further during the chat, Cubana Chief Priest said, “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 worked for Peter Obi before.’”
He added that although he worked for Peter Obi during the 2023 election, he eventually stepped away because he no longer believes the former Anambra governor has what it takes to unseat Tinubu in 2027.
