Nigerian celebrity barman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has been officially appointed as the Imo State Director of the City Boy Movement. This political development comes shortly after he publicly expressed interest in joining the political arena ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political Appointment Follows Celebrity Trend
The appointment follows a recent pattern of celebrity involvement in Nigerian politics, coming just after Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presented businessman Obi Cubana with an appointment letter as South-East Zonal Coordinator of the same movement. The City Boy Movement announced Cubana Chief Priest's new role through its official Instagram page, describing him as a vital asset in promoting President Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda for the 2027 presidential re-election campaign.
Understanding the City Boy Phenomenon
The term "City Boy" has evolved from its original meaning of a confident, sharp-dressed urban hustler to become a political brand. In Nigerian pop culture, the concept gained massive popularity through Burna Boy's hit song "City Boy," which celebrates independence, hustle, and making money on one's own terms. Politically, the City Boy Movement represents a youth-oriented support group specifically created to mobilize young Nigerians behind President Tinubu's political agenda, with particular focus on the upcoming 2027 elections.
Celebrity Influence in Political Mobilization
This appointment reflects a growing global trend where politicians leverage celebrity influence to broaden their reach. Similar patterns have been observed internationally, such as American rapper Nicki Minaj's visible alignment with former US President Donald Trump, where she appeared at political events and publicly endorsed his initiatives. In Nigeria, the strategy involves elevating lifestyle figures into structured political roles within support movements.
Cubana Chief Priest's Public Profile
Cubana Chief Priest has built a brand synonymous with luxury, nightlife, and social visibility. His public appearances often generate significant online buzz, including viral moments like wearing designer agbada worth over ₦1.5 million paired with ₦1 million shoes, which sparked mixed reactions about luxury display in Nigeria's challenging economic climate. He has also been involved in high-profile social media exchanges, most notably a heated interaction with Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy that trended extensively on Twitter/X.
The celebrity barman maintains connections with top names in Nigerian entertainment and politics. A trending video showed music star Davido personally introducing him to President Bola Tinubu, while other appearances alongside Obi Cubana have generated significant online discussion, particularly when he wore caps associated with presidential branding.
Questions About Youth Mobilization Strategy
While celebrity appointments may increase visibility, serious questions remain about their effectiveness in genuine youth mobilization. Meaningful political engagement requires addressing substantive issues affecting young Nigerians, including unemployment, inflation, insecurity, educational challenges, and migration concerns. Some critics have questioned whether figures known for luxury and excess can effectively translate aspirational branding into meaningful community development and policy engagement.
Political Strategy and Public Reception
The current administration appears to be employing a strategy of leveraging morally ambiguous influence through celebrity appointments. While figures like Cubana Chief Priest resonate with young Nigerians navigating economic pressures through their success stories, their appointment to political mobilization roles has drawn mixed reactions. A media personality recently criticized Obi Cubana's similar appointment, questioning how individuals whose brands are built on excess and elite access suddenly become youth mobilization figures.
This development highlights the evolving intersection of Nigerian pop culture and politics, where social media visibility and celebrity influence are becoming increasingly important in political strategy. As the 2027 elections approach, the effectiveness of such appointments in genuinely mobilizing youth participation versus merely creating social media buzz remains to be seen.
