Celebrity barman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has officially declared his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, marking a sharp departure from his previous stance that “only an Igbo president can fix Nigeria.”
The nightlife mogul announced his political pivot on Instagram following his appointment as the Imo State Director of the City Boy Movement, a youth-led support group dedicated to President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
In a statement that has sparked intense debate on social media, the socialite framed his decision as a strategic move to advocate for the South-East region from within the corridors of power rather than remaining in opposition.
“Our Voice Is Now Inside Screaming Super Loud & Clear. It’s Better To Fight From Inside Than Outside,” he wrote. “Join The City Boy Movement For @officialasiwajubat To Actually Become A Big BOY/GIRL.”
He described the movement as a “brotherhood” where “hope, success, empowerment & achievement is guaranteed,” urging his followers to align with the ruling party to access these benefits.
The declaration represents a significant reversal for the socialite, who was a vocal supporter of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election.
In May 2022, Cubana Chief Priest had passionately argued that the marginalization of the South-East was the root cause of Nigeria’s instability, stating, “Only an Igbo president will fix Nigeria.”
Furthermore, as recently as November 2025, he publicly warned the Tinubu administration that the President would struggle to secure even “10,000 votes” in the South-East unless the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was released.
The shift in loyalty drew immediate backlash from some followers. When a user explicitly asked if his new position meant he was now working against Peter Obi in the upcoming election, Cubana Chief Priest replied bluntly: “Yes Oh.”
He defended his past support for Obi but insisted that political realities have changed. “I worked for Obi last election even as special adviser to an APC Governor,” he noted, implying that his current alignment is a pragmatic choice for the future.
As the newly appointed Imo State Director for the City Boy Movement, Cubana Chief Priest announced plans to appoint a female Deputy State Director and coordinators for all 27 Local Government Areas in the state.
“Owerri I’m Coming Home With A Juicy News… Let’s Get To Work, Let’s Play Politics With A Touch Of Lifestyle,” he declared.
The development has triggered a war of words online, including a heated exchange with Isaac Fayose, brother to former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, who accused the socialite of being “easy to buy.”
In response, Cubana Chief Priest dismissed the criticism, maintaining that his alignment with the federal government is necessary for his business and the region’s development.
