Nigerian entrepreneur and nightlife mogul Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, finds himself at the center of a heated national controversy following his recent appointment as the South-East Regional Coordinator of the City Boy Movement (CBM), a youth mobilization platform aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The move, formalized in early February 2026, has sparked widespread backlash, particularly among Igbo communities and social media influencers, who accuse Cubana of betraying ethnic solidarity for personal gain. As debates rage online and in public discourse, this saga underscores deepening divisions in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

The saga began on February 3, 2026, when Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and patron of the City Boy Movement, visited Obi Cubana at his residence to present an official appointment letter. In a video that quickly went viral, Seyi congratulated Cubana on his new role as South-East Director, emphasizing the movement’s focus on youth empowerment and national unity. The pair, along with others present, sang the pro Tinubu anthem “On Your Mandate,” symbolizing Cubana’s alignment with the administration’s 2027 re-election push.

Cubana, whose business empire includes the Cubana Group of nightclubs, hotels, and lounges, shared the moment on Instagram, describing Seyi as a “dear friend and brother” and praising President Tinubu as a “City Boy and man of commerce.” He framed the appointment as an opportunity for “constructive engagement” to address national challenges, insisting it was not about partisanship but about ensuring the South-East’s inclusion in Nigeria’s progress. This came shortly after Cubana’s reconciliation with social critic VeryDarkMan (Martins Otse) in early 2026, brokered by mutual friends, ending a prior feud.

The City Boy Movement, often seen as a pro APC youth wing, aims to rally support for Tinubu’s policies amid economic hardships and regional insecurities. Cubana’s close associate, Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest), was similarly appointed as Imo State Coordinator, expanding the network’s reach in the South-East.

The appointment triggered immediate outrage, with critics labeling Cubana a “sell-out” and questioning his motives. Social media influencer VeryDarkMan released a viral video accusing Cubana of “abandoning ethnic solidarity for personal gain,” pointing to his previous silence on issues like the detention of Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu. VDM claimed Cubana feigned discomfort during the anthem-singing, suggesting insincerity.

The controversy also intersected with ethnic stereotypes. Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose, stirred further debate by claiming the Igbo tribe is “easy to buy with money,” using Cubana’s appointment as an example.

In response, Cubana addressed the criticism in multiple Instagram posts and interviews, urging Nigerians to focus on “constructive national engagement” rather than division. He emphasized that the South-East “can no longer be sidelined” and portrayed his role as a bridge for regional development. “This is about service and leadership,” he stated, defending President Tinubu’s commercial acumen and calling for collective responsibility.

Politically, the saga is seen as a Tinubu strategy to erode Peter Obi’s influence in the South-East, where Obi garnered strong support in 2023. Analysts describe it as a “symbolic blow” to Obi, reshaping regional dynamics. Amid Nigeria’s economic woes, inflation, insecurity, and youth unemployment, the backlash reflects frustration with elites aligning with the status quo.