- Cubana Chief Priest lost the APC House of Representatives primary to incumbent Canice Nwachukwu
- Seyi Tinubu urged him not to be discouraged and to see the defeat as part of his political journey
- The result sparked mixed reactions across social media and political commentary
Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has reacted to the defeat of celebrity businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State.
Cubana Chief Priest had contested the APC ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections but lost to the incumbent lawmaker, Canice Nwachukwu, after polling 14 votes in the tightly contested primary election.
Following the announcement of the result, Seyi Tinubu took to social media to send a message of encouragement to the nightlife promoter, urging him not to be discouraged by the outcome. His message was shared via his Instagram page and was later reposted by Cubana Chief Priest, drawing widespread attention online.
In his message, Seyi Tinubu advised that political setbacks are often part of a broader journey and should be seen as stepping stones toward future opportunities. He encouraged the businessman to remain focused and resilient despite the disappointment of the primary election defeat.
Cubana Chief Priest also reacted publicly to the outcome in a video that has since circulated widely on social media. In the video, he stated that he had no regrets about participating in the political race, describing the experience as a valuable learning process.
However, he expressed disappointment over the low number of votes he received, suggesting that he had expected a stronger showing given his popularity and influence. He also raised questions about the role of party stakeholders and the internal dynamics of the APC primary process.
The result of the election, in which the incumbent lawmaker Canice Nwachukwu secured the ticket, has continued to generate discussions across social media platforms, with users offering mixed reactions. While some commenters praised Cubana Chief Priest for his courage to venture into politics, others pointed to the outcome as evidence of the challenges faced by newcomers in established party structures.
Political observers have noted that the contest highlights the competitive nature of party primaries within the APC, particularly in constituencies where incumbents retain strong influence and established political networks.
Despite the defeat, supporters of Cubana Chief Priest have described his participation as a sign of growing political engagement among young entrepreneurs and public figures in Nigeria’s evolving democratic space.