2027: ‘Tinubu doesn’t trust me as an Igbo man’ – Cubana Chief Priest

Nigerian entrepreneur and socialite Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu does not fully trust him because he is Igbo.

Speaking in a chat with Peller on Tuesday evening, Cubana Chief Priest said one of the reasons he would not expect open reception from the President is his previous support for Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election.

“Let me tell you, as I am now, Tinubu doesn’t really trust me as an Igbo man. He looks at me with one eye. He is still like ‘this one that has worked for Peter Obi before’,” he said.

Cubana Chief Priest earlier picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives nomination form to run for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State. He lost his bid to secure the APC ticket but later told followers he never fully contested in the first place.

As the Imo State Coordinator of the City Boys Movement, the nightlife promoter said he threw his weight behind Tinubu, citing a desire not to “lose for a second time” with Peter Obi. He added that he believes strongly that Obi stands no chance of winning the 2027 presidential election.

The news of his failed attempt and political pivot quickly drew social media attention, with users mocking his move and suggesting he had underestimated the ruthlessness of Nigerian politics.

Following the primaries, Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, sent a message of encouragement to Cubana Chief Priest via Instagram, which the socialite later reposted. Seyi advised him not to be discouraged by the outcome, noting that setbacks often pave the way for future success.

Cubana Chief Priest explained that while he previously supported Obi, he abandoned the former Labour Party presidential candidate because he believes Obi cannot defeat Tinubu in 2027.

“I worked for Peter Obi in 2023 but I had to abandon him because I know he cannot beat Tinubu,” he stated.