Cubana Chiefpriest Defends Tinubu Support and Questions Tribal Politics
Socialite Cubana Chiefpriest has once again addressed critics who have been attacking him for his involvement in a support group advocating for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. In a recent post on his Instagram page, Chiefpriest directly confronted Igbo individuals who have been criticizing him for backing Tinubu, a Yoruba man, rather than supporting an Igbo candidate such as Peter Obi.
Challenging Tribal Narratives in Political Allegiance
In his response to the backlash, Chiefpriest posed a pointed rhetorical question: "If an Igbo man supporting Tinubu is a betrayal, what is a Yoruba man supporting Obi?" He emphasized the importance of national unity over tribal divisions, stating, "We can only be Nigerians for us to partake in Nigeria." Chiefpriest argued that tribalistic attitudes are counterproductive and could lead to repeated political failures.
He further elaborated on his stance by highlighting the strategic political moves of President Tinubu. "For Tinubu to become president, he motioned Buhari, a Hausa man, and waited for eight years before he could become president," Chiefpriest noted, referencing Tinubu's support for former President Muhammadu Buhari. He described this as the essence of the "Emilokan" mantra often championed by Tinubu, asserting that "Tinubu served!"
Advocating for Pragmatic Political Engagement
Chiefpriest urged his followers to adopt a pragmatic approach to politics. "Leaving Tinubu to support any other candidate for this election is like not looking both ways before crossing the road," he cautioned. He advised aligning with established political structures to secure personal benefits, saying, "Follow who know road, stay with person wey get structure so that you sef fit tap in and plan for your own better future."
Reflecting on past efforts, Chiefpriest pointed out that protests, demonstrations, and even the sit-at-home orders in the Southeast have not yielded significant changes. "We don fight, protest, scream, yell, even kpai ourselves and nothing changed. We don even do sit at home for years nothing changed," he lamented. He suggested that the current political climate necessitates a different strategy: "Like this the only option is for us to serve and get settled."
Emphasizing Inclusion Over Exclusion
In his concluding remarks, Chiefpriest appealed for unity and strategic thinking among his peers. "Only time will tell, if you can't beat them you join them," he stated, invoking a common adage. Addressing the Igbo community specifically, he added, "Umunne, it's better to be inside than outside. Think am well." This call underscores his belief that inclusion within the existing political framework is more advantageous than remaining on the sidelines due to tribal affiliations.
The post, originally shared by Linda Ikeji on February 13, 2026, at 3:28 PM, has sparked further discussions on social media about the role of ethnicity in Nigerian politics and the practical considerations influencing voter and supporter behavior.
