Cubana Chief Priest Loses APC House of Reps Ticket in Imo

Popular celebrity businessman and nightlife entrepreneur Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has failed in his bid to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency of Imo State ahead of the next general election.

Cubana Chief Priest, who currently serves as the Imo State Coordinator of the pro-Tinubu City Boys Movement, had formally declared his intention to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives under the APC platform earlier this year.

His political ambition generated widespread reactions across social media and political circles, with many describing it as a major transition from entertainment and nightlife business into mainstream politics.

The celebrity businessman had campaigned on promises of youth inclusion, empowerment and what he described as “clean politics,” while also encouraging greater participation of young Nigerians in governance.

However, despite his popularity and strong social media influence, the outcome of the APC primary election did not favour him, as another aspirant reportedly emerged with the party’s ticket for the federal constituency.

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Although official detailed results of the primary have yet to be fully released publicly, sources within the APC in Imo State confirmed that Cubana Chief Priest did not secure enough support from delegates to clinch the ticket.

The development has since triggered mixed reactions online, with critics mocking the socialite’s defeat while supporters argued that political success requires more than celebrity status and online popularity.

Many political observers noted that the outcome reflects the realities of Nigeria’s grassroots political structure, where local alliances, party loyalty, delegate influence and long-term political networks often play more significant roles than fame.

Cubana Chief Priest had announced his political ambition in February through social media posts and public engagements, declaring his readiness to represent the people of Orsu, Orlu and Oru East Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

At the time, he positioned himself as part of a new generation of politically active youths willing to contribute to national development beyond entertainment and business.

His association with the APC and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 election campaign also increased his visibility within the ruling party.

The celebrity socialite was among several entertainers and influencers who publicly backed Tinubu’s presidential ambition through campaigns, rallies and social media mobilisation.

Despite the setback, political analysts believe Cubana Chief Priest may still remain active within the APC and youth mobilisation structures, especially given his strong influence among young Nigerians and his close ties with political figures in Imo State and beyond.

The businessman has yet to officially react in detail to the outcome of the APC primary election.

Cubana Chief Priest rose to prominence through Nigeria’s hospitality and entertainment industry, becoming one of the country’s most recognised nightlife personalities and celebrity influencers.

Over the years, he has built a massive following on Instagram and maintained close relationships with top Nigerian entertainers, politicians and business figures.

His failed House of Representatives bid has now added to growing discussions about the increasing intersection between celebrity culture, youth influence and politics in Nigeria.

Cubana Chief Priest Loses APC House of Reps Ticket in Imo

Osogbo Community Leader Sues for Peace as Political Rivalry Divides Odekilekun Family

​OSOGBO— A serious political rift has emerged within the prominent Odekilekun family of Isale-Osun, Osogbo, as two brothers—sons of the renowned industrialist Asiwaju Olatunde Badmus (Tuns)—have pitched their tents with opposing political parties ahead of the upcoming elections, triggering pockets of violence in the state capital. The brewing tension escalated over the weekend at the popular Better Life Junction in Isale-Osun, where a campaign office belonging to the younger brother, Azeez Badmus of the Accord Party, was systematically vandalized. According to reports, political thugs descended on the facility, tearing down Accord Party banners, destroying campaign materials, and defacing the property. Ironically, the targeted office sits directly adjacent to the campaign headquarters of his elder brother, Olalekan Badmus, who is a stalwart and candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

​The incident has sent shockwaves through the ancient town of Osogbo, sparking widespread concern over the rising tide of political intolerance and the erosion of family values for political gain. Reacting to the ugly development, a prominent community leader, Hon. Adejumobi Akeem Abiola (popularly known as Mascot), issued a strongly-worded statement calling for immediate calm and psychological reflection among the actors involved. Hon. Adejumobi stated that differences in political affiliation among family members are not new in Osun, nor in Nigeria, emphasizing that democracy guarantees every citizen the right to association. He maintained that what should never change because of party colors is the bond of blood and the peace of our community. Expressing deep worry over the proximity of the two campaign offices and the subsequent violence, Adejumobi noted that turning political differences into physical destruction only breeds a politics of bitterness that yields no developmental dividends for the populace, builds no roads, and feeds no families.

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​To prevent the situation from degenerating into a full-blown reprisal crisis, stakeholders are moving swiftly to restore order before the local political landscape fractures further. Hon. Adejumobi has formally laid out a three-point peace agenda aimed at de-escalating the friction. First, he urged the leadership of both the APC and the Accord Party in Osogbo to immediately rein in their members and supporters to halt further hostilities. Secondly, he publicly counseled Olalekan and Azeez Badmus to look past their immediate political ambitions, sit down as brothers, and resolve their differences to protect the dignity of the Odekilekun family. Finally, he issued a stern warning to political youths and foot soldiers against being used as tools of destruction, reminding them that political parties are transient, but community remains.

​As security agencies keep a close watch on the Isale-Osun axis, local residents are hoping that the Badmus family can de-escalate the friction and set a positive example for the state. The consensus among community elders is that Better Life Junction should ultimately serve as a symbol of democratic tolerance—where two opposing party offices can stand side-by-side in peace—rather than a battleground of brotherly conflict. While neither Olalekan Badmus (APC) nor Azeez Badmus (Accord Party) has released an official statement regarding the weekend’s vandalism, political analysts predict that how the brothers handle this crisis will heavily influence the peace of the electoral ward moving forward.

Osogbo Community Leader Sues for Peace as Political Rivalry Divides Odekilekun Family

Senate Denies Akpabio’s “North Must Vote for Tinubu or Be Expelled” Threat

Abuja, Nigeria – The Office of the President of the Senate has firmly dismissed as “completely false” and “malicious” the viral claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio threatened northerners over the 2027 presidential election, allegedly warning that the North must vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or risk being expelled from Nigeria. The denial comes amid rising political tension ahead of the next general election cycle, with the Senate President’s office accusing an individual of deliberately fabricating the story to stir ethnic division.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Jibril Tafida (also referred to as Jibril Lawal Tafida in some reports), the Senate President categorically denied ever making such inflammatory remarks. “We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that the President of the Senate never made such a statement. This claim is completely false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension,” the statement read in part. According to the statement, the viral content was part of a wider attempt to drag the Senate President’s name into political controversy and stir ethnic division across the country. The office warned that the increasing spread of misinformation and inflammatory political content could threaten national unity if left unchecked, especially as political activities intensify ahead of 2027.

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The Senate President’s office specifically identified and called for the immediate arrest of Garus Gololo, the individual featured in the circulating video. The office challenged Gololo to provide concrete evidence supporting his allegations and described his conduct as part of a recurring pattern of attacking President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for political reasons. “We therefore call on the security agencies in Nigeria to arrest Garus Gololo immediately and compel him to provide evidence of where and when the President of the Senate made such a statement,” the statement added. The office also condemned what it described as repeated insults and disrespectful comments directed at Akpabio and other public officials, describing such conduct as “gutter language” that undermines respect for public office and democratic institutions. The office further accused Gololo of consistently attacking President Tinubu and the APC to satisfy what it called “paymasters in the name of opposition politics.” “Garus Gololo has developed a pattern of insulting President Bola Tinubu and the APC in order to satisfy his paymasters in the name of opposition politics. This must stop,” the statement said.

The Senate President’s office urged Nigerians, particularly stakeholders in the northern region, to disregard the allegation and avoid statements capable of creating ethnic or political tension across the country. The office reaffirmed its commitment to responsible communication and cautioned against the spread of unverified political claims on social media, noting that the allegation has no basis in fact and urging the public to dismiss it entirely.

The denial comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Senate President Akpabio has previously made statements regarding the upcoming polls. In April 2026, he alleged that opposition elements were sponsoring bombings and insecurity across parts of the country to distract President Bola Tinubu and weaken his administration ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking at the inauguration of the Nigeria Revenue Service headquarters in Abuja, Akpabio said, “You’re seeing insecurity today, and it’s even increasing because the election is coming. As soon as election is over, for the first two weeks you will not hear a single bomb blast because people are sponsoring it to distract you.” Those remarks were widely criticized by editorial boards and commentators, with some describing them as “scandalous,” “deeply insensitive,” and “patently reckless” given the daily toll of insecurity on Nigerian citizens. Meanwhile, the APC has consistently dismissed rumors of northern conspiracy against President Tinubu’s re-election bid. In July 2025, APC National Secretary Ajibola Bashiru described such claims as “a lie from the pit of hell,” insisting that northern support for Tinubu remains unwavering. The current denial from Akpabio’s office appears aimed at quelling the latest controversy before it escalates further into ethnic and political divisions as the 2027 election cycle approaches.

Senate Denies Akpabio’s “North Must Vote for Tinubu or Be Expelled” Threat