OWERRI — Celebrity socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has officially declared his intention to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement, which marks a dramatic transition from social media stardom to active partisan politics, was framed by the socialite as a strategic move to secure the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The ‘Nnamdi Kanu’ Strategy
Addressing the rationale behind joining the ruling party despite his high-profile support for Peter Obi and the Labour Party in 2023, Cubana Chief Priest stated that staying in the opposition limits the ability to achieve tangible results for the South-East.
“I can’t help Nnamdi Kanu from the opposition,” he declared. “To make a real impact and push for the release of our brother, we must have a seat at the table where decisions are made. Power determines outcomes in this country, not just social media influence.”
U-Turn from 2023
While acknowledging his past alignment with the ‘Obidient’ movement, the socialite clarified that he has now fully aligned with the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He characterized his 2023 stance as a temporary departure based on personal loyalty but maintained that the APC provides the most viable platform for South-East regional integration.
He further challenged South-East political appointees in the current administration, describing some as “cowards” for failing to tell the President the “bitter truth” regarding the region’s resentment over Kanu’s continued incarceration.
Mixed Reactions Trail Declaration
The declaration has sparked a firestorm of reactions across the political spectrum:
- Critics of the Move: Social critics like VeryDarkMan (VDM) and singer Portable have accused the socialite of hypocrisy, suggesting that his move is more about personal gain and securing federal contracts than a genuine concern for Nnamdi Kanu.
- South-East APC Response:Â Local APC chapters in Imo State have cautiously welcomed the development, noting that the party needs “popular and vibrant” young leaders to mobilize the grassroots ahead of 2027.
- IPOB’s Stance: The IPOB leadership has historically been skeptical of political “middlemen,” insisting that Nnamdi Kanu’s release should be a matter of law and justice rather than a political bargain for 2027 votes.
The 2027 Context
Cubana Chief Priest’s entry into the race comes as the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ramps up calls for Nigerians to view the 2027 election as a “patriotic national assignment.” In the South-East, where the detention of Nnamdi Kanu remains a sensitive issue, the socialite’s candidacy is expected to be a major talking point in the APC’s mobilization strategy.
As of Thursday morning, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) has not issued a formal statement on the socialite’s declaration, though he has recently been seen in high-level consultations with key party figures in Abuja.
