Popular Nigerian socialite and entrepreneur, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has officially purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Cubana Chief Priest is seeking to represent the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency of Imo State under the ruling APC, marking a major transition from entertainment and nightlife into active politics.
The celebrity businessman made the development public through his social media page, where he shared photos of himself holding the nomination forms and disclosed that he had also visited party stakeholders as part of his political consultations.
Formal Entry into Politics
The announcement confirms what had been speculated in recent days following his earlier declaration of interest to run for elective office.
Cubana Chief Priest had previously visited the APC secretariat in Imo State, where he informed party leaders of his intention to contest for the federal legislative seat.
In his earlier statement, he said his ambition was driven by a desire to serve his people and contribute meaningfully to the development of the constituency.
“Stopped by our great party, APC, state secretariat to congratulate and encourage our state working committee on their emergence. Above all, I made known to them my humble aspiration to represent my people, the good people of Orsu, Orlu and Oru East Federal Constituency, at the House of Representatives,” he had stated.
The purchase of the nomination forms now signals a more concrete step toward securing the party ticket for the 2027 election.
Visit to Seyi Tinubu Sparks Reactions
In another post, Cubana Chief Priest shared that he had visited Seyi Tinubu, whom he described as his patron in the City Boy Movement, with the nomination forms for what he called blessings and support.
He captioned the post by saying:
“When I say City Boy Movement, you say empowering the youth. Chukwu Bu Ike.”
The move generated widespread reactions online, especially given his known support for President Bola Tinubu and his strong affiliation with the ruling APC.
Cubana Chief Priest has in recent times become one of the most vocal celebrity supporters of the current administration and has publicly aligned himself with pro-Tinubu political movements.
“I Am Not Coming to Steal Money”
One of the statements that attracted major public attention was his declaration that he was not entering politics for personal enrichment.
In a viral video, the nightlife entrepreneur said his goal was to improve the lives of people in his constituency and invest his own resources into development projects.
“I am not coming to steal money. I am planning to add mine to the constituency account and build more projects for my people,” he said.
The statement sparked mixed reactions, with supporters praising his confidence and critics questioning whether celebrity popularity can translate into effective legislative leadership.
Constituency and Political Stakes
The Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency remains one of the politically significant constituencies in Imo State, and the contest is expected to attract strong interest from within the APC and opposition parties.
The seat is currently represented in the House of Representatives by Hon. Canice Moore Chukwugozie Nwachukwu of the APC, making the coming primary process potentially competitive.
Political analysts believe Cubana Chief Priest’s popularity, business network, and youth appeal could give him visibility, but success will depend heavily on grassroots political structures and party dynamics.
His entrance into the race adds to the growing number of entertainers and high-profile public figures seeking elective office in Nigeria.
Mixed Public Reactions
Since the announcement, reactions have continued to pour in across social media platforms.
Supporters describe his ambition as bold and refreshing, arguing that successful entrepreneurs can bring practical solutions to governance and constituency development.
Others, however, remain skeptical, insisting that popularity on Instagram and nightlife influence are not enough qualifications for legislative office.
Some political observers also note that party primaries in Nigeria often depend more on internal alliances, party loyalty, and local support structures than celebrity status.
Still, Cubana Chief Priest’s political move has undeniably become one of the most talked-about developments in Imo politics this week.
Celebrity Influence in Nigerian Politics
His declaration reflects a broader trend of entertainers, influencers, and business personalities moving into politics.
From musicians to actors and social media figures, more public figures are increasingly seeking formal political roles, leveraging popularity and public goodwill to gain electoral traction.
Analysts say this trend can be positive when backed by genuine policy understanding and commitment to public service, but caution that celebrity influence alone should not replace competence and accountability.
Cubana Chief Priest’s case will likely be watched closely as the 2027 political landscape begins to take shape.
Looking Ahead to 2027
With the nomination forms now secured, the next major hurdle for Cubana Chief Priest will be the APC primary process, where he must compete for the party’s official ticket.
He will need to consolidate support among party stakeholders, local leaders, youth groups, and grassroots political structures across Orsu, Orlu, and Oru East.
His campaign message appears centered on youth empowerment, development, and direct constituency impact—issues likely to resonate strongly if backed by clear policy plans.
For now, his formal purchase of the APC nomination forms confirms that his political ambition is no longer speculation—it is now an active race.
Conclusion
Cubana Chief Priest’s decision to buy the APC House of Representatives nomination forms marks a major political step for the celebrity businessman and socialite.
As he prepares to contest for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State, attention will remain fixed on how he navigates party politics, builds grassroots support, and transforms public popularity into electoral strength.
Whether his celebrity influence translates into political victory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—his entry has already reshaped conversations around the 2027 House of Representatives race in Imo State.
