Cubana Chief Priest denies APC primary defeat, says he withdrew

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

The nightlife entrepreneur said he pulled out of the race before the exercise after discussions with Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, over the party’s zoning arrangement.

His fresh explanation differs from an earlier video in which he lamented receiving only 14 votes and blamed his disappointment on “trusting the elders in the community.”

In posts shared on Instagram on Sunday, Okechukwu described himself as a loyal APC member who respected the party’s internal decision that Orlu Local Government Area should complete its turn before the seat moves elsewhere.

According to him, Governor Uzodimma reminded him that his local government had already produced a representative in the past, referring to former lawmaker Asiwaju Jerry Alagboso, who served three terms in the House of Representatives.

He maintained, however, that his interest in the contest was driven by dissatisfaction with the performance of the current occupant of the seat.

“My decision and resolve to aspire for the office 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 stated.

Okechukwu insisted that once the party settled for its zoning formula and communicated its position to him before the primary, he immediately stepped aside.

“In respect for the party and its leadership, I chose not to proceed to the field, and indeed, I never did. Nobody will say they saw me anywhere around the primaries venue. In fact, I did not participate. As I headed straight back to Lagos,” he wrote.

The businessman also dismissed claims that he owed supporters money over the failed political bid, saying his ambition was a personal project funded by him alone. He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign through his City Boy Movement.