Celebrity businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has stated that he did not participate in the All Progressives Congress primary for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State.

He stated that he withdrew voluntarily after Governor Hope Uzodimma explained the party’s zoning arrangement to him.

The clarification came in a series of Instagram posts on Sunday, responding to an earlier video in which he suggested he had taken part and received only 14 votes.

Okechukwu said he had sought the APC ticket for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections but lost to incumbent lawmaker Canice Nwachukwu.

“He made the argument that it was not the turn of my Local Government Area to occupy the seat at this time, especially considering that my elder brother, Asiwaju Jerry Alagboso, had previously served three terms in the House,” Okechukwu wrote.

Describing himself as a loyal party member, he said discussions with Uzodimma made him accept that it was not yet the turn of his local government area to hold the seat.

He noted that the governor argued Orlu LGA should complete at least two terms before the position rotated, especially since his elder brother, Jerry Alagboso, had served three terms in the House.

He added that his decision to run stemmed from concerns about the performance of the current officeholder.

“My decision and resolve to aspire for the office was born out of my conviction that the current holder of the office was not living up to the expectations and aspirations of our people,” he said.

According to him, he stood down once the party adopted its zoning position and asked preferred aspirants to proceed.

“In respect for the party and its leadership, I chose not to proceed to the field, and indeed, I never did. Nobody will say they saw me anywhere around the primaries venue. In fact, I did not participate. As I headed straight back to Lagos,” he wrote.

He added that he received the party’s directive in the early hours of Saturday before the primary and stayed away from the venue entirely.

He said, “Immediately, the party’s decision was communicated to me in the early hours of Saturday before the primaries. I stayed away completely in respect of the leadership and the internal understanding reached.”

Okechukwu dismissed online commentary around the incident as coordinated mischief aimed at using his name for propaganda.

“I am not indebted to anybody over my aspiration. The aspiration was entirely mine, driven by my personal conviction and desire to serve”, he added.

He also denied reports that he owed supporters money over the bid, saying the aspiration was personal and driven by his desire to serve.

He said he had no regrets about raising political awareness in the constituency ahead of the primaries.

His loss had drawn public attention, including a message from Seyi Tinubu, who encouraged him to see it as a step toward future success.

Okechukwu reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and said he would continue mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election through his City Boy Movement.

“The APC remains my party, today and always. I remain loyal and committed to the ideals and leadership of our great party,” he concluded.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday cautioned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against engaging in infighting and “do-or-die” politics as the party commences its nationwide primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement personally signed by him on the commencement of the APC primaries nationwide, Tinubu urged aspirants, party leaders and delegates to conduct themselves peacefully while upholding the principles of internal democracy, fairness and sportsmanship.

The President described the primaries, beginning with those for House of Representatives aspirants and ending with the presidential primary on May 25, 2026, as crucial to the unity and future of the ruling party.

“We should not play the politics of old; the do-or-die politics that we have put behind us. Politics should never be a zero-sum game,” Tinubu said.

He urged contestants to approach the exercise as an opportunity to strengthen party unity rather than create divisions.

“Election is an essential ingredient of democracy. Where consensus fails, I urge us all to go into the primaries as brothers and sisters.

“All participants in the primaries, as contestants or voters, must keep the peace and be ready to play as sportsmen and women in the overall interest of the party and our country,” he stated.

Tinubu also warned against actions capable of undermining democracy and party cohesion, stressing that winners should avoid triumphalism while losers should accept the outcome in good faith.

“In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser. I urge the winners not to gloat in victory and the losers to show sportsmanship by taking things in their stride and preparing for another time,” he said.

The President encouraged APC leaders across the country to embrace consensus arrangements where possible, noting that the option could help reduce tension among party members.

“I am aware that, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act (2026) and our party’s constitution, leaders at various levels have initiated conversations to produce consensus candidates.

“It is a commendable option that would help in reducing rancour and bad blood among party members,” he added.

Tinubu further called on party leaders and governors to ensure fairness by providing a level playing field for all aspirants.

“To the party leadership, our governors, and other leaders, I urge you to be fair and just. You must rise above sentiment to offer all aspirants a level playing field,” he said.

The President also appealed for greater inclusion of women and youths in the party’s political process.

“The inclusion of women and youth is dear to my heart. I appeal to voters in the primaries and leaders at all levels to give special consideration to our women and youth in the contest,” he stated.

Tinubu equally cautioned the Police and other security agencies against interfering in the primaries beyond maintaining law and order.

“Your duties strictly centre on ensuring peaceful exercise. Nothing more,” he warned.

The President wished all aspirants success and expressed optimism that the APC would emerge stronger after the primaries.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement.

The governor made this known at a rally held at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state capital, amid a growing political realignment in the state involving factions of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“I, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, Excellency, announce my candidacy for the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Makinde had earlier led the Taminu Turaki faction of the PDP in Oyo State to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the APM as part of a strategic alliance for the forthcoming elections.

Under the agreement, candidates of the PDP faction contesting for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats are expected to run on the platform of the APM rather than the PDP in the 2027 elections.

More to come…