Socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu remains wary of him due to his support for Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election.
Cubana Chief Priest, who serves as the Imo State Coordinator of the pro-Tinubu City Boys Movement, made the remarks during a livestream with the popular streamer Peller.
In a video circulating on Wednesday, the socialite spoke about what he described as lingering suspicion from the presidency, linked to both his ethnic background and his previous political allegiance.
“President Bola Tinubu doesn’t really trust me as an Igbo man that I am. He looks at me with one eye because he believes that this one worked for Peter Obi before, in the last election,” Chief Priest said.
He explained his decision to switch his support to Tinubu, saying he wanted to back a winning side and avoid repeated political defeats.
When asked why he left Peter Obi, he replied: “Because I don’t want to lose again. They say the first fool is no fool, but the second fool is a proper fool.”
Chief Priest also dismissed Peter Obi’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, describing the Labour Party aspirant as “not serious” and adding that “the serious people will win.”
The comments, which quickly spread on social media, drew widespread reactions. Many criticised Chief Priest for alleged political opportunism and questioned his loyalty to the Igbo cause. Others, however, viewed his remarks as a pragmatic reflection of Nigeria’s winner-takes-all political landscape.
Chief Priest was notably vocal in his support for Obi and the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 election. He has since aligned himself with the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Tinubu.
He recently bought an APC primary form for a House of Representatives seat but pulled out on the morning of the election on Saturday.
