Cubana Chief Priest Loses APC House of Representatives Primary in Imo State

Socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has lost the All Progressives Congress primary election for the House of Representatives seat representing the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency of Imo State ahead of the 2027 general elections . The nightlife entrepreneur and coordinator of the South-East City Boy Movement had purchased the APC nomination and expression of interest forms, declaring his intention to contest under the party platform in a move that generated widespread reactions across the South-East political space.

The celebrity businessman lost the party ticket to the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Canice Moore Nwachukwu, who currently represents the constituency in the 10th National Assembly. Nwachukwu’s name appeared on the official list of APC House of Representatives consensus candidates released by the party for the constituency.

During a visit to the APC state secretariat prior to the primary, Cubana Chief Priest had spoken about his political ambition, stating, “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. Na God get power; let the will of God be done. From our party women’s mouths to the mouth of God”.

The primary outcome has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many users mocking the celebrity-turned-aspirant. An X user, Stella Nky, wrote, “APC voters said ‘money na water’ but ballot paper no gree chop shawarma. From ‘show working’ to ‘show results’ real quick. City boys indeed” . Another user, Igbo Chronicles, commented, “He will calm down now. Watch him withdraw from city boys moment. He will be less interested”. A commenter identified as Lexjay added, “After all the noise. City boys couldn’t secure the ticket for him. He will go back to being APC errand boy”.

Reports indicate that Governor Hope Uzodinma conveyed a message to the aspiring politician, telling him that politics is not a show business. Cubana Chief Priest, who had actively supported Peter Obi and the Labour Party during the 2023 general elections, had recently switched allegiance to the APC and aligned himself with the party’s leadership, a move that reportedly angered many young voters in the South-East who typically lean toward opposition parties.

His defeat highlights the challenges of translating celebrity influence and financial resources into electoral success within party-controlled primary systems, where grassroots delegate mobilisation and established political networks often play a decisive role. Despite the setback, political observers note that Cubana Chief Priest remains a visible figure within APC-aligned youth movements and could continue to play a role in political mobilisation within Imo State and beyond ahead of the 2027 elections. As of the time of this report, the celebrity businessman had not issued an official statement on the outcome of the primary.