Socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has failed in his bid to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the House of Representatives seat covering Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
His loss was confirmed after the party’s primary election, where he could not clinch the mandate to represent the APC at the polls.
Okechukwu had recently made a public entry into partisan politics, declaring his intention to contest under the APC platform. His move drew significant attention across social media and within the South-East political space, largely due to his popularity as a nightlife entrepreneur and influencer.
He had also obtained the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms, framing his ambition as part of a broader push to promote youth empowerment and grassroots development in the region.
However, his political debut triggered mixed reactions from constituents and stakeholders. While some supporters pointed to his visibility and philanthropic activities as strengths, critics questioned whether his background in entertainment translated into legislative readiness.
The APC primary, conducted as part of preparations for the 2027 elections, ultimately ended with Cubana Chief Priest failing to secure the party’s ticket. As of the time of filing this report, details of the final vote tally and the candidate who emerged victorious had yet to be officially disclosed.
His defeat marks an early setback in what had been a closely watched political entry, especially given the heightened interest around celebrity involvement in Nigerian electoral politics.
