Forget About 2027 as Long as Nnamdi Kanu Remains in Prison — Cubana Chief Priest Warns Tinubu

Nigerian nightlife promoter and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has issued one of the strongest political warnings yet to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that the All Progressives Congress (APC) should “forget about 2027” if the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is not released.

 

His comments came amid renewed tension and emotional reactions across the South-East following the recent court ruling that handed Kanu a life imprisonment sentence — a judgment that has triggered fresh debates about national unity, justice, and rising political discontent in the region.

 

Chief Priest’s Message: “You Won’t Get 10,000 Votes in the South-East”

 

In a strongly worded statement shared via his social media pages, Cubana Chief Priest emphasized that President Tinubu’s administration has lost significant goodwill in the South-East, insisting that Kanu’s continuous detention is perceived as an act of political hostility.

 

“As long as MNK remains in jail,” he wrote, “you cannot and will never get up to 10,000 votes in South-East come 2027. MNK is the supreme leader of South-East. His detention has caused us so much setback. Only MNK’s release can save you.”

 

According to him, the political temperature in the region has shifted drastically, with a growing belief that the Federal Government has shown “insensitivity” toward the concerns of millions of Igbo people.

 

Chief Priest argued that Kanu’s imprisonment has become more than a legal matter — it has evolved into a regional symbol of exclusion, marginalization, and political alienation.

 

Rising Resentment and a Diminishing Political Base

 

Cubana Chief Priest claimed that President Tinubu’s popularity in the South-East has sunk to “an all-time low,” stating that the ruling party will face an unprecedented voting challenge in the coming general elections.

 

He noted that the South-East electorate has become increasingly frustrated, and many now interpret the government’s stance on Kanu as a reflection of deeper disregard for the region’s concerns.

 

“The whole political mood of the South-East has been deeply shaped by this detention,” he stressed. “People are angry, and they are prepared to express that anger through the ballot.”

 

Political analysts have long highlighted the APC’s struggle to secure support in the South-East, but Chief Priest insists the situation has reached a critical point — one that cannot be reversed unless the Federal Government makes a decisive move.

 

Criticism of South-East Ministers and Political Appointees

 

Beyond calling out the president, Cubana Chief Priest directed sharp criticisms at several South-East ministers, advisers, and political appointees, accusing them of failing to convey the region’s true sentiments to the presidency.

 

He argued that those currently positioned as intermediaries between the government and the region lack grassroots influence and cannot mobilize real voter support.

 

“Most of the so-called advisers you have from the South-East cannot even go back home,” he claimed. “They have no acceptance and no influence. They are cowards who only say what pleases Abuja.”

 

He further accused these political actors of presenting a false picture of support for the APC in the South-East, warning that their silence and political calculations will cost the ruling party dearly if not addressed.

 

“Reassess Your Advisers” — Call for Political Realignment

 

Cubana Chief Priest urged President Tinubu to immediately reassess the individuals advising him on South-East affairs, insisting that the president is being misled by individuals he described as “bags of deceit.”

 

He emphasized that genuine political actors with real influence at the community level must be brought into the conversation if the APC hopes to salvage its future in the region.

 

The influential socialite specifically mentioned Abia State Governor Alex Otti, praising his grassroots acceptance and urging the presidency to strengthen ties with leaders who “understand the pain of the people.”

 

He also addressed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, cautioning that the governor’s political achievements could be overshadowed if he fails to play a meaningful role in securing a resolution to Kanu’s continued imprisonment.

 

Political Stakes Ahead of 2027

 

The 2027 general election is still two years away, yet political alignments and regional sentiments are already shaping the national conversation. The South-East, historically one of the most politically assertive zones in Nigeria, remains crucial despite often being electorally marginalized by national parties.

 

Cubana Chief Priest’s comments reflect a rising wave of regional sentiment that is becoming increasingly difficult for the Tinubu administration to ignore. With Kanu’s life sentence sparking street protests, online campaigns, and rising political commentary, pressure continues to mount on the Federal Government to intervene.

 

According to observers, the Federal Government faces a delicate balancing act: upholding the judicial process while addressing the political implications that Kanu’s imprisonment continues to generate.

 

“Only Nnamdi Kanu Can Save You” — Final Warning to Tinubu

 

Cubana Chief Priest concluded his statement with a clear warning: without releasing Nnamdi Kanu or at least initiating a clear legal and political intervention, the APC should not expect the South-East to offer meaningful support in 2027.

 

“Get it right,” he wrote. “Appeal the judgment, do something. The people are watching. The South-East is slipping away from your hands.”

 

He argued that only Kanu’s release could restore trust and begin the process of rebuilding political bridges between the presidency and the region.

 

Growing Pressure on the Presidency

 

As reactions continue to pour in, the presidency has yet to issue a formal response to Cubana Chief Priest’s remarks. However, political analysts note that the statement adds significant weight to the already intense pressure coming from traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and youth groups in the South-East.

 

With 2027 drawing nearer, the handling of Nnamdi Kanu’s case may determine not only the APC’s electoral fate in the region but also broader national conversations about justice, inclusion, and unity.