The tectonic plates of Nigerian celebrity politics have shifted violently. Pascal Okechukwu, the flamboyant nightlife impresario better known as Cubana Chief Priest, has thrown the full weight of his influence behind President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, declaring that the path to an Igbo presidency runs directly through the current administration.

In a statement that has set social media ablaze, the Imo State Director of the "City Boy Movement" argued that political pragmatism must override regional sentiment. "Tinubu made Buhari, he can make an Igbo President too," Okechukwu asserted, referencing Tinubu’s pivotal role in the 2015 alliance that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power. This declaration marks a stunning 180-degree turn for the socialite, who as recently as 2022 had famously claimed that "only an Igbo president can fix Nigeria." His pivot highlights the complex, often transactional nature of political alliances in Abuja, where yesterday's critics become today's champions in the blink of an eye.

The Strategy of Alignment

Cubana Chief Priest’s argument is rooted in the doctrine of "alignment." He contends that the South-East region’s strategy of opposition has yielded little fruit and that integration into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) machinery is the only viable route to the presidency. "Last election, Tinubu won without the southeast; he will win again. So why not give him the votes so he can do what we ask of him in return?" he posed. It is a cold, calculated gamble: trade votes for political capital.

• The Nnamdi Kanu Factor: The endorsement is not without its conditions. Okechukwu leveraged a plea from traditional ruler Lawrence Agubuzu, urging Tinubu to release IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. He frames his support as a bargaining chip: "Asiwaju go free MNK... Alignment is key."
• The Backlash: The reaction from his base has been visceral. Accusations of "betrayal" and "selling out" have flooded his timeline, exposing the deep emotional wounds in a region that feels systematically marginalized by the central government.

A Gamble for 2031?

By betting on Tinubu, Cubana Chief Priest is playing a long game, positioning himself—and by extension, his region—for the 2031 succession battle. He is banking on the unwritten rule of zoning, hoping that a loyal South-East will be rewarded when the pendulum swings back. But in the volatile arena of Nigerian politics, promises are written in sand.

For now, the "Celebrity Barman" has poured a cocktail of controversy that the entire nation is forced to drink. Whether this move is a masterstroke of realpolitik or a miscalculation that alienates his core fanbase remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the campaign for 2027 has begun, and the nightlife kings are now the kingmakers.