Amid the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, celebrity businessman Pascal Okechukwu, better known as Cubana Chief Priest, has revealed that he does not take part in the APC state primary election for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State.
The Nigerian socialite said he stepped down from the race willingly after Governor Hope Uzodimma explained the party’s zoning formula.
Taking to his Instagram page in a series of posts on Sunday, Cubana Chief Priest debunked an earlier video where he implied that he participated in the exercise and secured only 14 votes.
According to him, although he had initially shown interest in contesting for the APC ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, the seat eventually went to the incumbent representative, Canice Nwachukwu.
He described himself as a committed member of the APC and said discussions with Uzodimma convinced him to respect the zoning arrangement, which favoured Orlu Local Government Area, completing at least two terms before the office rotates again.
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“It was not the turn of my Local Government Area to occupy the seat at this time, especially considering that my elder brother, Asiwaju Jerry Alagboso, had previously served three terms in the House,” Okechukwu wrote.
Okechukwu also stated that his interest in the position was motivated by dissatisfaction with the performance of the current representative.
“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 said.
He maintained that after the party settled on its preferred aspirants in line with the zoning arrangement, he decided not to proceed with the process.
“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.
Okechukwu further disclosed that he received the party’s position in the early hours of Saturday, before the primary election and stayed away completely.
He said, “Immediately, the party’s decision was communicated to me in the early hours of Saturday before the primaries. I stayed away completely in respect of the leadership and the internal understanding reached.”
Reacting to online discussions surrounding the issue, he described the reactions as deliberate attempts to use his name for propaganda.
“I am not indebted to anybody over my aspiration. The aspiration was entirely mine, driven by my personal conviction and desire to serve”, he added.
The businessman also dismissed claims that he owed money to supporters over the political ambition, insisting that the aspiration was personal and inspired by his desire to contribute to public service.
Despite withdrawing from the race, he said he was satisfied with the level of political consciousness generated within the constituency ahead of the primaries.
His reported defeat had earlier attracted reactions from Seyi Tinubu, who encouraged him to treat the experience as preparation for future political opportunities.
Okechukwu reaffirmed his allegiance to the APC and pledged continued support for the re-election campaign of President Bola Tinubu through his City Boy Movement.
“The APC remains my party, today and always. I remain loyal and committed to the ideals and leadership of our great party,” he concluded.
