Celebrity socialite and APC chieftain, Paschal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has blamed an internal zoning arrangement within the All Progressives Congress in his area for his inability to secure the party’s House of Representatives ticket for Orlu/Oru East/Orsu federal constituency.
Mr Okechukwu disclosed that his decision to withdraw from the primary election followed consultations with Hope Uzodimma, Govenror of Imo State and other APC leaders in the State, who insisted that Orlu Local Government Area should retain the seat for at least two terms before it rotates to another council area within the federal constituency.
According to him, Governor Uzodimma argued that it was not yet the turn of his local government area to occupy the seat, especially as his elder brother, Asiwaju Jerry Alagboso, had previously served three terms in the House of Representatives. He added that the governor also maintained that Oru East already occupies the governorship position through him, making it politically fair to allow the incumbent lawmaker seek re-election.
The socialite-turned-politician, however, said his decision to aspire for the seat was driven by dissatisfaction with the performance of the current occupant of the office, whom he accused of failing to meet the expectations and aspirations of the people of the constituency.
Mr Okechukwu said despite his personal convictions, he chose to respect the party’s final position after preferred aspirants were selected under the APC zoning arrangement. He maintained that he never participated in the primary election and immediately returned to Lagos after the party communicated its decision to him hours before the exercise.
“Nobody will say they saw me anywhere around the primaries venue,” he said, dismissing reports linking him to the contest as “online propaganda” and “misinformation” orchestrated by political opponents seeking relevance.
Reaffirming his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC, Cubana Chief Priest said he remained committed to mobilising support for the president’s re-election in 2027 through the “City Boy Movement,” insisting that he would continue to support the Renewed Hope agenda despite losing the party’s ticket.
