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Abakaliki, Nigeria — September 13, 2026
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has dismissed calls by socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, for him to step down, reportedly saying: “I don’t have time for Cubana Chief Priest, but if I remember him…”
The remark comes in response to a viral video in which Cubana Chief Priest urged Nwifuru to resign, questioning how the governor could spend almost three years in office without having any major projects commissioned by President Bola Tinubu or other state governors. The socialite further claimed Ebonyi remained the only South-East state yet to record significant development, describing the state’s political leadership as “not wise enough” and out of step with the times.
Wider political fallout
The exchange has drawn in other political figures. House of Representatives member Chinedu Ogah, who represents Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, publicly defended Nwifuru’s record, describing him as “the most performing Governor in Nigeria” and pointing to the administration’s scholarship programmes, school construction, and road projects across the state’s 13 local government areas as evidence of performance. Ogah went further, questioning Cubana Chief Priest’s credentials and source of wealth, alleging he had orchestrated theft at a stadium, and calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate him for alleged money laundering. Ogah also accused Cubana Chief Priest of being part of efforts to discredit President Tinubu’s support base in the South-East ahead of the 2027 elections.
Cubana Chief Priest responded angrily on his Instagram Story, describing Ogah as a “hit man” allegedly sent by Nwifuru to attack his reputation, and threatened to sue the lawmaker. He also touted his social media following and his relationships with state governors, saying he would not be intimidated by the EFCC probe call.
The EFCC had not confirmed receipt of any formal petition as of this writing, and representatives for Cubana Chief Priest had not issued a further formal response beyond his social media posts.
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The dispute unfolds amid heightened political tension in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the state government previously accusing opposition figures and critics of running what it described as a campaign of calumny against the governor. Cubana Chief Priest, a vocal South-East political commentator who was recently named a zonal director for a Tinubu 2027 support group, has in the past also publicly pressed the President on issues affecting the region, including the detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
