ABUJA — In the theater of Nigerian politics, alliances are fluid, but memory, it seems, is eternal. Popular nightlife promoter, socialite, and self-proclaimed heavyweight Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu—affectionately known to the world and your local bartender as Cubana Chief Priest—has cried out over what he perceives as a lack of complete trust from Aso Rock.
Speaking during an explosive and highly animated live chat on Tuesday evening with popular content creator Peller, the Chief Priest revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is allegedly casting a very sharp, suspicious eye on him.
The reason? A spicy mix of ethnic background and past political baggage.
The “One Eye” Doctrine
“Let me tell you, as I am now, Tinubu doesn’t really trust me as an Igbo man,” the Chief Priest lamented to a nodding Peller. “He looks at me with one eye! He is still like, ‘this one that has worked for Peter Obi before…’”
For those with short-term memory, the nightlife mogul was an ardent, high-energy supporter of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the chaotic 2023 elections. But as the saying goes, “if you can’t beat them, serve them premium liquor.” Recognizing that the 2027 presidential race is already taking shape, the Chief Priest abandoned the “Obidient” ship, declaring that Peter Obi stands little to no chance of dethroning Tinubu in 2027.
Hoping to fully secure his place at the table where national cakes are shared, he swiftly aligned himself with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and even bagged a bogus title: Imo State Coordinator of the City Boys Movement (a pro-Tinubu political support group).
But alas, it appears the “City Boys” are keeping the new recruit on a strict probation period.
The Great Primary Election ‘Disappearance’
The true cracks in the Chief Priest’s political ambitions showed during the recent APC primary elections. The socialite had proudly picked up the APC House of Representatives nomination form to contest for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State.
However, things didn’t go quite according to plan. After failing to secure the highly coveted ticket, the Chief Priest performed a masterclass in political gaslighting, taking to social media to tell his millions of followers that he never actually contested in the first place—despite the glaring, widespread evidence to the contrary.
Netizens, who never miss an opportunity to audit a celebrity’s ego, immediately descended on him. Social media platforms were flooded with mockery, with users pointing out that Nigerian politics requires a different kind of “pouring libation” than the ones he does in the club. Critics gleefully suggested that the socialite had grossly underestimated the ruthless machinery of the APC.
A Presidential Consolation Prize
While the masses laughed, the Chief Priest found comfort in high places. Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, stepped into the comment section to offer some political first-aid. In an Instagram message that the Chief Priest quickly reposted to save face, Seyi urged him not to be discouraged by the setback, reassuring him that political bumps in the road often pave the way for future success.
Whether Seyi’s words will convince his father to open both eyes when looking at the Chief Priest remains to be seen. For now, the billionaire businessman learns a valuable lesson: in Abuja, you can mix the expensive champagne, but you don’t always get to sip the drink!
Reporting for ABT NEWS, where the drama never sleeps and the politics is always served chilled.
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