Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Popular Nigerian celebrity and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chiefpriest, has opened up about his humbling experience in the just‑concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election for the Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West Federal Constituency of Imo State. In a series of posts on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, May 16, 2026, the flamboyant businessman revealed that he contested the primary but was soundly defeated, receiving only 14 votes despite his significant financial investment in the process. He did not regret trying to contest, he said, but his only regret was trusting the community elders whom he had supported financially, believing they would back his ambition.
“I’m a hustler, and I didn't regret trying to contest for a position. My only regret was trusting the elders in the community. I know how much I gave them, but only 14 people voted for me in the primary,” Cubana Chiefpriest wrote. His statement, which quickly went viral, has ignited a fresh debate about the role of money, godfatherism, and grassroots trust in Nigerian politics. The celebrity, who is also a brand influencer and close associate of music star Davido, had in the months leading up to the primary openly declared his intention to represent his people in the National Assembly. He had shared campaign materials, visited community leaders, and made financial contributions to various groups, positioning himself as a fresh face capable of bringing youthful energy and business acumen to the legislature.
The APC primary in Imo State was part of the party’s nationwide exercise held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, to elect candidates for the House of Representatives. While the official results from the Owerri Federal Constituency have not been publicly released, Cubana Chiefpriest’s admission that he polled only 14 votes suggests that the winner emerged with a significantly higher tally. The celebrity did not name the victor, nor did he allege that the process was rigged. Instead, his focus was on the failure of the community elders whom he had trusted and supported financially. This distinction is significant, as it shifts the blame from institutional manipulation to personal betrayal by individuals he believed were loyal to him.
Cubana Chiefpriest’s lament has struck a chord with many Nigerians who have experienced the harsh realities of money politics. His statement, “I know how much I gave them,” implies that he made substantial financial contributions to the elders, likely in the form of gifts, donations, or direct payments, as a way of securing their support. The fact that only 14 people voted for him suggests that either the elders did not deliver their promised votes, or that his support was never as broad as he had assumed. Either way, the outcome serves as a cautionary tale for wealthy individuals who believe that financial influence alone can translate into electoral victory.
Political analysts have noted that Cubana Chiefpriest’s experience reflects a broader challenge facing first‑time aspirants in Nigeria, particularly those from the entertainment and business sectors. Without a deep grassroots structure, a track record of community service, or the backing of a political godfather, such aspirants often struggle to convert financial resources into votes. The celebrity’s admission that he trusted the elders also highlights the pervasive influence of local power brokers who often sell their support to multiple candidates, only to direct their followers to vote for a preferred candidate at the last minute.
The APC primary in Imo State was, like in many other states, marked by controversies over delegate lists, accreditation processes, and vote counting. However, Cubana Chiefpriest has not alleged any malpractice at the polling unit level. His focus on the betrayal of the elders suggests that he may have been outmaneuvered at the pre‑primary stage, where alliances are formed and broken based on promises that are not always kept. This is a common occurrence in Nigerian politics, where aspirants spend huge sums to woo delegates and community leaders, only to discover that their support was conditional or non‑existent.
In response to his post, many of Cubana Chiefpriest’s followers expressed sympathy, while others offered unsolicited advice. Some urged him to try again, while others warned him to stay out of politics altogether. A handful pointed out that his celebrity status did not automatically translate into electoral appeal, and that he needed to invest more time in grassroots engagement rather than relying on financial inducements. One user wrote, “Chief, politics is not about money. It’s about the people. You can’t buy love.” Another said, “14 votes out of thousands? That means your people don’t know you. Start from the bottom.”
Cubana Chiefpriest has not indicated whether he will contest again in the future. His immediate reaction, however, suggests a man who is bruised but not broken. “I’m a hustler,” he said, implying that he will continue to pursue his ambitions, though perhaps with a different strategy. His experience serves as a reminder that in Nigeria’s political marketplace, money can buy access, but it cannot always buy votes. And trust, once broken, is not easily restored.
The celebrity’s primary defeat is unlikely to affect his business or his public standing. He remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, with a large social media following and a successful chain of lounges and events. But his foray into politics has exposed him to a side of life that his luxury cars and champagne bottles rarely reveal: the cold, hard arithmetic of electoral politics, where a celebrity’s fame means little if the ward leaders decide to vote for someone else.
As the 2027 general elections approach, Cubana Chiefpriest’s story will likely be cited as a textbook example of the gap between financial power and political power. It is a gap that many wealthy aspirants have tried to cross, but only a few have succeeded. For now, the hustler from Owerri has returned to his businesses, licking his wounds and counting his losses. But if his track record is anything to go by, he is not done fighting. After all, he is a hustler, and hustlers do not give up easily.
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