Nigerians on social media are reacting with surprise after results emerged from the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primaries in Imo State showing celebrity nightlife promoter Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, secured only 14 votes out of 2,845 delegate votes cast.
The primaries were held for the Orlu-Orsu-Oru East Federal Constituency, one of the most politically competitive constituencies in Imo State. Cubana Chief Priest, who entered partisan politics earlier this year under the APC platform, lost to incumbent lawmaker Hon. Canice Moore Nwachukwu, who retained the party’s ticket for the 2027 general elections.
The result quickly went viral after a post on X by user @obinna_chikodi stated: “Out of 2,845 delegate vote, AFO UKWU (chiefpriest) scored only 14 😭😭”. The post has since garnered 97.7K views, with thousands of comments debating the outcome.
Cubana Chief Priest had formally declared his ambition in April 2026, purchasing APC expression of interest and nomination forms and visiting the party’s Imo secretariat to announce his aspiration. His campaign drew significant public attention due to his fame in Nigeria’s entertainment scene and his role as Imo State Director of the City Boys Movement, a youth group supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
Despite the high profile, delegates ultimately reaffirmed support for the sitting lawmaker. Canice Moore Nwachukwu maintained strong backing within the APC structure in the constituency, an outcome that secured his candidacy for 2027.
The result has sparked widespread discussion online, with many Nigerians commenting that “money can’t buy everything” in politics. Others pointed to the strength of established party structures and grassroots networks in Orlu-Orsu-Oru East, noting that celebrity status does not always translate to electoral success at the delegate level.
Cubana Chief Priest’s entry into politics was seen as part of a growing trend of entertainers and public figures seeking elective office ahead of the 2027 elections. He had previously said his goal was to “represent my people” and to influence federal discussions on issues affecting the South-East, including the detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
The City Boys Movement has continued to reaffirm his position as Imo State Director, dismissing reports of internal disputes and stating that he remains the only officially recognised figure for the movement in the state.
For now, the Orlu-Orsu-Oru East constituency will head into the 2027 elections with Hon. Canice Moore Nwachukwu as the APC flagbearer. The outcome serves as a reminder that in Nigerian party primaries, delegate loyalty and local political structures often carry more weight than national fame….See More
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