Popular nightlife entrepreneur and socialite, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chiefpriest, has stirred political debate after issuing a strongly worded open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), poses a major threat to the President’s chances in the 2027 general elections, particularly in the South-East.
In the lengthy message posted on his social media platforms, Cubana Chiefpriest told Tinubu that as long as Kanu remains in custody, he “cannot and will never get up to 10,000 votes in the South-East” come 2027. Describing himself as a “friend of your government,” he insisted he had “no reason to whitewash” the President, stressing that Kanu is regarded as “the supreme leader of the South-East,” and his imprisonment has caused deep political and social setbacks for the region.
Chiefpriest also accused ministers from the South-East serving in the current administration of failing to speak truth to power, calling them “cowards” who lack the influence to help the President win regional support. He added that governors from the zone would also fail Tinubu politically, insisting that only Nnamdi Kanu’s release could restore trust and secure votes ahead of the next election.
He criticised those he described as “bags of deceit” around the President and his son, Seyi Tinubu, alleging that many of the political actors seeking relevance in Abuja “cannot even go to their hometowns because of MNK’s detention.” He emphasized that his own views were not influenced by personal gain, saying he required nothing from the President and warned that “villa na hotel—na few more days your checkout time go reach.”
Cubana Chiefpriest further advised Tinubu to pay closer attention to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, whom he described as one of the few leaders with genuine influence in the region. He faulted the President for not personally honoring Otti’s project commissioning invitation in Abia, instead delegating the “incompetent minister,” whom he accused of being a “failure and betrayal to the South-East.”
Addressing Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, whom he referred to as “Governor General,” Chiefpriest appealed for greater intervention in securing Kanu’s freedom, warning that Uzodimma’s achievements would be overshadowed if he failed to act decisively.
He concluded with a dramatic caution to the President, urging him to appeal the recent court judgment on Kanu and “get it right,” or risk losing relevance in 2027. “Southeast belongs to MNK,” he declared, adding that his warning was “the words of the gods—play with it at your own risk.”
The Presidency has not yet responded to the remarks.
