Celebrity businessman Pascal Okechukwu, also referred to as Cubana Chief Priest, has denied running in the All Progressives Congress primary for the Imo State seat of Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency.
He claimed that after Governor Hope Uzodimma informed him of the party’s zoning stance, he voluntarily withdrew from the race.
In an earlier video, Okechukwu stated that only 14 people voted for him at the primary and that his only regret was “trusting the elders in the community.” These statements, which were made in a series of Instagram story posts on Sunday, run counter to those claims.
“He made the argument that 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.”
Before the 2027 general elections, Okechukwu was running for the APC ticket for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat. However, he was defeated by Canice Nwachukwu, the incumbent lawmaker.
“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.”
When the party subsequently adopted its zoning arrangement and directed preferred aspirants to proceed to the field, he said he stood down entirely.
“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.”
“I am not indebted to anybody over my aspiration. The aspiration was entirely mine, driven by my personal conviction and desire to serve,” he said, adding that he had “absolutely no regret whatsoever in raising the political stakes and consciousness” in his constituency ahead of the primaries.
His defeat had drawn widespread attention, including a public message of encouragement from Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, who wrote on Instagram: “Bro, sometimes by losing a battle, you find a new way to win the war.”
Closing his statement, Okechukwu reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged to continue mobilising support for the president’s re-election bid in 2027 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 wrote.
