“Tinubu Doesn’t Trust Me Because I’m Igbo” – Cubana Chief Priest Opens Up

Popular businessman and nightlife promoter, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has opened up on his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he believes the President still does not fully trust him because he is Igbo and once worked for Peter Obi.

The celebrity barman made the remark during a chat with streamer Peller on Tuesday evening, where he spoke about politics, loyalty and his failed political ambition in Imo State.

According to him, his previous support for Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election remains a major reason he feels viewed with suspicion within the ruling circle.

“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 during the live session.

Cubana Chief Priest explained that although he supported Obi in the last election, he later decided to align himself with President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress after concluding that the former Labour Party candidate could not defeat the incumbent in 2027.

The socialite had in recent months publicly declared support for Tinubu and became active within the City Boys Movement in Imo State. He also attempted to secure the APC ticket for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

However, his ambition suffered a setback after he failed to clinch the party’s nomination ticket during the APC primary process.

Following the outcome, Cubana Chief Priest had claimed online that he never officially contested for the position despite earlier activities surrounding his aspiration.

His defeat triggered widespread reactions across social media, with many users mocking his political loss and arguing that celebrity influence does not always translate into political success in Nigeria.

Shortly after the primary election, Seyi Tinubu publicly encouraged him not to lose hope. In a message later reposted by Cubana Chief Priest on Instagram, Seyi advised him to remain focused and see the setback as part of a bigger political journey.

The latest comments by the businessman have since stirred conversations online, especially over issues of ethnicity, political loyalty and trust within Nigeria’s political space.

Many supporters of Peter Obi also criticised the socialite for abandoning the former Anambra governor after benefiting from support linked to the Obidient movement during the 2023 elections.

Others, however, defended his decision, insisting that political interests and alliances often change ahead of future elections.