The recent Instagram activity from popular Nigerian socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, better known as Cubana Chiefpriest, has stirred significant online buzz, particularly regarding Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 presidential election.

In a series of posts and stories shared in early February 2026, Cubana Chiefpriest openly declared his support forPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid. He shared videos and clips showing prominent Igbo businessmen including himself, Obi Cubana, and others donating multi-million naira worth of brand new buses to support groups aligned with Tinubu’s campaign. In one caption accompanying a post, he wrote: “To comot Asiwaju is a total impossibility, who wan do am?” . He emphasized strategic political alignment, urging people to discard sentiments and back the “surest odd” in the APC (All Progressives Congress), describing late night strategy meetings focused on delivering South-Eastern votes for Tinubu to ensure the region is no longer “on the bench” for another four years.

He further stated that the goal is to make Tinubu a favorite among South Easterners, arguing that the region stands to benefit economically and politically from continued alignment with the current administration. In related exchanges with followers on Instagram, Cubana Chiefpriest explicitly said he would not support Labour Party figure Peter Obi in 2027 and would actively work against him, despite previously backing Obi in the 2023 election (even serving as a special adviser to an APC governor at the time). He defended this shift as pragmatic, not sentimental, and tied it to personal and regional gains.

This marks a notable pivot from his stance late in 2025, when he posted a strong message to President Tinubu insisting that the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu (MNK) was essential for the South-East to support the government in 2027, claiming without it, Tinubu could not secure even 10,000 votes from the region and warning of political fallout.

Cubana Chiefpriest has also hinted at his own political ambitions, announcing plans to run for a Federal House of Representatives seat in his constituency under the APC platform in 2027.

Cubana Chiefpriest’s public endorsement carries symbolic weight in Nigeria’s celebrity influenced political landscape, where influencers and socialites often mobilize youth, social media audiences, and business networks. His large following and ties to nightlife, events, and high-profile figures could help amplify Tinubu’s outreach in the South-East, a region historically skeptical of the APC.

However, his influence remains debated many see him more as a flashy personality than a grassroots mobilizer, and South-East sentiment toward Tinubu’s administration has been mixed due to economic hardships, security issues, and unresolved matters like Kanu’s detention. The shift from pressuring for Kanu’s release to full campaign support may alienate some while attracting others focused on access and opportunities.

As the 2027 race heats up early, with no official declarations yet from major figures like Peter Obi, this development highlights emerging fault lines: pragmatic alliances versus ethnic/regional loyalties. Whether Cubana Chiefpriest’s efforts translate to real votes or remain social media noise is yet to be seen, but it underscores how celebrity endorsements are increasingly shaping pre-election narratives in Nigeria.