Celebrity businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has clarified that he never participated in the All Progressives Congress primary for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State, insisting he withdrew voluntarily in respect for party leadership.
The socialite made the clarification through a series of Instagram story posts on Sunday, May 17, 2026, addressing widespread reports that he lost the ticket after polling only 14 votes.
According to Okechukwu, Governor Hope Uzodimma personally explained the party’s zoning arrangement to him, which favours Orlu LGA completing at least two terms before the seat rotates. He said he respected the decision after learning that his elder brother, Asiwaju Jerry Alagboso, had already served three terms in the House.
“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.”
Okechukwu explained that the party’s position reached him in the early hours of Saturday before the primary took place. He added that he honoured the internal arrangement by staying away completely.
The businessman described himself as “a loyal party man and committed progressive” and maintained that his initial aspiration stemmed from genuine concern for his people.
“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 dismissed online narratives and propaganda around the matter as “laughable” and coordinated mischief by misguided elements seeking unnecessary trending.
Despite stepping aside, he expressed no regrets about raising political awareness in his constituency. He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged continued mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 through his City Boy Movement.
The development comes after earlier videos and reports suggested Cubana Chief Priest had contested and lost to incumbent lawmaker Canice Nwachukwu. Seyi Tinubu, son of the President, had publicly consoled him with a message about turning battle losses into war victories.