Pascal Okechukwu, a prominent socialite and nightlife businessman known as Cubana Chief Priest, has declared his intention to run for the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections. He announced the decision via his Instagram account, stating he will contest as a candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Cubana Chief Priest framed his party choice as a strategic calculation to maximise federal influence. He specifically linked his decision to the goal of securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), arguing that effecting such change requires operating from within the government. “I no fit help Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from opposition. I have always been an APC,” he stated, adding that his alignment with the party honours the work of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, his political benefactor.
The clarification addresses his visible support for Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 elections. He explained that this occurred while he served as a Special Adviser to Governor Uzodimma, positioning it as a role-specific duty rather than a fundamental party shift. He emphasised a decisive return to the APC’s centre, pledging loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership. “Last election, as special adviser to Governor hope, I worked for Peter obi, but this time I dey with Asiwaju,” he said, using the president’s widely recognised title.
Cubana Chief Priest characterised his political ambition as a deliberate evolution from his established online and social influence to formal electoral politics. He contended that the South-East geopolitical zone requires younger, high-profile figures with direct access to federal power structures to advance regional interests effectively. His candidacy, therefore, positions him as an insider advocate, contrasting with his previous public persona.
The move signals a significant entry of a celebrity figure into the practical political arena of Imo State and the South-East. It underscores the region’s complex political loyalties and the enduring appeal of federal alignment for those seeking tangible resource allocation or policy outcomes. His campaign will likely focus on leveraging his widespread name recognition and business network while promoting his stated objective of securing Kanu’s freedom through parliamentary engagement. The 2027 election cycle will test whether his transition from socialite to substantive politician resonates with constituents in his proposed constituency.
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