I never participated in APC Primary, Cubana Chief Priest insists

Celebrity businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has denied participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State.

He insisted that he voluntarily stepped down from the race in deference to the party’s zoning arrangement.

Okechukwu made the clarification in a series of posts shared on his Instagram story on Sunday amid growing reactions surrounding the outcome of the APC primary.

His latest explanation appeared to contradict an earlier viral video in which he lamented that only 14 delegates voted for him during the exercise and expressed disappointment over “trusting the elders in the community.”

The nightlife entrepreneur had sought the APC ticket for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections but lost to the incumbent lawmaker, Canice Nwachukwu.

However, reacting to the controversy, Okechukwu maintained that he never eventually participated in the primary after discussions with Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, over the party’s zoning formula.

Describing himself as “a loyal party man and committed progressive,” he said the governor explained that it was not yet the turn of his local government area to occupy the seat under the APC’s internal zoning understanding.

According to him, the arrangement was based partly on the fact that a former lawmaker from his local government area, Jerry Alagboso, had previously served three terms in the House of Representatives.

“He made the argument that it was not the turn of my Local Government Area to occupy the seat at this time,” Okechukwu stated.

Despite accepting the zoning position, the businessman said his decision to seek the office was motivated by concerns about the performance of the current representative of the constituency.

“My aspiration was born out of my conviction that the current holder of the office was not living up to the expectations and aspirations of our people,” he said.

Okechukwu further disclosed that once the APC leadership adopted the zoning arrangement and directed preferred aspirants to proceed for the primaries, he immediately withdrew from the process and returned to Lagos.

“In respect for the party and its leadership, I chose not to proceed to the field. In fact, I did not participate,” he wrote, adding that nobody could claim to have seen him at the primary venue.

He also dismissed widespread social media reactions suggesting he suffered a humiliating defeat, describing the narratives as “online propaganda” orchestrated by misguided individuals.

The celebrity businessman equally denied allegations that he became indebted to supporters during the failed political bid.

“I am not indebted to anybody over my aspiration. The aspiration was entirely mine, driven by my personal conviction and desire to serve,” he stated.