Celebrity businessman Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, has denied participating in the All Progressives Congress primary election for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State.

He said he voluntarily withdrew from the contest after Governor Hope Uzodimma presented the party’s zoning position to him.

The claims, made in a series of Instagram story posts on Sunday, contradict an earlier video in which Okechukwu said his only regret was “trusting the elders in the community” and that only 14 people voted for him at the primary.

Okechukwu was seeking the APC ticket for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections, where he lost to the incumbent lawmaker, Canice Nwachukwu.

Describing himself as “a loyal party man and committed progressive,” he said his consultations with Uzodimma led him to understand and respect the party’s zoning arrangement, which held that Orlu LGA should complete at least two terms before the seat rotated to another local government area.

“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,” Okechukwu wrote.

He said he nonetheless made clear to the governor that his aspiration was driven by genuine concern about the performance of the current occupant of the seat. “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.

When the party subsequently adopted its zoning arrangement and directed preferred aspirants to proceed to the field, he said he stood down entirely.

Seyi Tinubu consoles Cubana Chief Priest after APC primary defeat

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has reacted to the defeat of celebrity businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, in the All Progressives Congress primary election for a House of Representatives seat.

Cubana Chief Priest was seeking the APC ticket for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency of Imo State ahead of the 2027 general elections. The socialite, who serves as the Imo State Coordinator of the City Boys Movement, lost to the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Canice Nwachukwu, after reportedly polling 14 votes.

Reacting to the outcome, Seyi shared a message of encouragement to the nightlife promoter in a post on his Instagram page on Sunday, which Cubana later reposted. “Bro, sometimes by losing a battle, you find a new way to win the war. Keep your head up @cubana_chiefpriest. We know what you are capable of achieving,” Seyi wrote.