TDCelebrity businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has denied reports that he contested in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State.
The flamboyant nightlife promoter and social media personality was widely reported to have scored just 14 votes out of 2,845 cast in the primary, a result that sparked ridicule online.
However, Okechukwu insists he did not participate in the election, claiming he voluntarily withdrew after Governor Hope Uzodimma presented the party’s zoning arrangement to him.
Withdrawal Before the Primary
In his statement, Cubana Chief Priest explained that he stepped aside once the zoning formula was made clear, stressing that he never proceeded to the ballot.
He dismissed the reports of his poor showing as misleading.
“I’m a hustler, and I don’t regret trying to contest for a position.
“My only regret was trusting the elders in the community.
“I know how much I gave them, but only 14 people voted for me in the primary,” he said.
He clarified that his name was not formally in contention when the votes were cast.
Online Reactions
The alleged tally of 14 votes quickly became a trending topic on social media.
Commentators mocked the businessman’s earlier boasts of mobilizing “one million votes” for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections.
Critics also recalled his claim that he would “teach Peter Obi politics,” contrasting it with his reported poor performance in the APC primary.
Memes and sarcastic posts flooded platforms like X and Facebook, with many suggesting that only his family members supported him.
Others argued that his political ambitions were premature, advising him to start at the grassroots level, such as councillorship, before aiming for a seat in the House of Representatives.
Outcome of the Primary
Reports indicate that the APC ticket for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency was won by the incumbent lawmaker, Omeogo, consolidating his hold on the seat.
Cubana Chief Priest’s denial underscores the tension between celebrity influence and grassroots politics in Nigeria.
While his flamboyant lifestyle and high‑profile connections with figures like Seyi Tinubu and Obi Cubana have kept him in the spotlight, his political journey appears to have hit a stumbling block.
For now, the businessman maintains that he withdrew from the race and was not part of the primary election that produced Omeogo as the APC candidate.
