“The President Bola Tinubu Is Working and Deserves Support” Cubana Priest Wished He Supported President Bola Tinubu in the Previous Election.
In a surprising and candid statement, Nigerian businessman and socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu better known as Cubana Priest recently declared: “I made a mistake not supporting President Tinubu earlier; the president is working and deserves support.” speaking at political gathering in Imo state.
Thereafter, he accoladed the Imo state governor Hope Uzodimma for maintaining a close ties with federal government, saying that collaboration had helped boost the state development.
However, the Chief priest also channeled his praise to the president son, Seyi Tinubu for strengthening relationship across ethnic divide and regional levels.
This remark marked a dramatic shift in his political allegiance and quickly sparked a national conversation. The statement didn’t just highlight his personal evolution but also reflected broader sentiments in Nigerian political discourse.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the events that led to this significant admission.
Celebrity Cubana’s Political Stance During the 2023 Elections
Throughout the 2023 Nigerian presidential election season, Cubana Priest was vocal about his political preference. Like many prominent Nigerians in the entertainment industry, Cubana initially lent his support to former Anambra governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
However, his endorsement of former Anambra governor Peter Obi was widely publicized, with the socialite aligning himself with a candidate who promised change, transparency, and youth-driven leadership.
This allegiance was seen as part of a broader movement within Nigeria, where celebrities, influencers, and young Nigerians rallied behind the former Anambra governor as an alternative to the traditional political establishment.
During the election, Cubana’s social media presence played a key role in amplifying the former Anambra governor, Obi’s message. He used his platform to encourage his large following to vote for the Labour Party, demonstrating his strong stance against the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Subsequently, President Tinubu, who had been a dominant figure in Nigerian politics, particularly within the southwest, faced significant opposition from those who believed his leadership would continue the status quo.
The Change of Heart; Chief Cubana’s Public Admission
As the election results were declared and President Tinubu emerged as the victor, Cubana Priest, like many other Nigerians, faced a period of reflection.
However, In the weeks following the election, President Tinubu’s administration began to introduce key policies and take steps that caught the attention of both supporters and critics. Among these were efforts to address Nigeria’s economic challenges and the restructuring of certain government bodies. As Cubana Priest watched the president navigate these complexities, his earlier views began to shift.
This evolution in his perspective was made public when Cubana took to social media to share his thoughts. In a candid post, he wrote: “I made a mistake not supporting President Tinubu earlier; the president is working and deserves support.”
This statement was powerful for several reasons.
Firstly, it was rare for a public figure to openly admit their prior mistake regarding political support, especially in the highly polarized atmosphere that surrounded the 2023 election.
Secondly, Cubana Priest acknowledged the work that President Tinubu was doing, reinforcing his belief that the country’s leader deserved the backing of all Nigerians, including himself.
Why Did Cubana Priest Change His Mind
Celebrity Cubana’s sudden change of heart can be understood in the context of the evolving political landscape in Nigeria. After president Tinubu’s inauguration, there was a noticeable shift in his approach to governance. While some of the president’s actions were met with criticism, there were others that suggested he was addressing long-standing issues in the country, including:
Moreover, the president began focusing on tackling Nigeria’s dire economic challenges, which had worsened under the previous administration. This included addressing fuel subsidy removals, which sparked both protests and support from various factions of society.
President Tinubu’s administration started making key appointments to high-level government positions, which Cubana Priest and many others might have interpreted as a sign of serious governance.
For Cubana Priest, witnessing these steps, combined with a potential reassessment of his earlier political views, led him to publicly support the president. It was a moment of realization for him that even though he had supported another candidate, the nation’s future depended on unity, and sometimes that meant supporting the elected president, regardless of past allegiances.
Public Reaction Both Praise, Criticism, and Neutral Views
The socialist Cubana’s statement did not go unnoticed. The public’s reaction was a mix of praise, criticism, and neutrality, each reflecting differing political beliefs and perspectives.
Supporters’ Reactions:
Many of President Tinubu’s supporters celebrated Cubana’s admission. They saw it as a sign of maturity and pragmatism. For them, Cubana’s recognition of President Tinubu’s leadership was seen as an endorsement from a highly influential figure in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Given Cubana’s massive following on social media, supporters hoped that his words would inspire others to also acknowledge the president’s efforts and contribute to national unity.
To President Tinubu’s supporters, Cubana’s change of heart was symbolic of a larger trend; Nigerians, regardless of past support, could come together for the sake of progress. His statement was viewed as a significant validation of Tinubu’s presidency, reinforcing the idea that the president was working hard for the nation, and it was time for everyone to support him.
Critics’ Reactions:
On the other hand, Cubana’s announcement attracted strong criticism from opponents of President Tinubu, particularly those who had supported presidential candidate, Peter Obi. These critics questioned the timing and sincerity of Cubana’s change of stance. Some accused him of being opportunistic, suggesting that his alignment with President Tinubu’s administration was motivated by personal or business interests.
There were accusations that Cubana’s statement was a strategic move to align himself with the political establishment, considering his influence and business dealings. Critics argued that his previous support for former Anambra governor Obi was not only a political statement but also part of a broader movement for change, and that retracting this support now was a form of political inconsistency.
Neutral Reactions:
A third group, composed of more politically neutral Nigerians, viewed Cubana’s statement with a degree of understanding. For them, the political landscape is dynamic, and it is not uncommon for individuals to reassess their positions as circumstances evolve. They pointed out that Cubana’s shift could simply reflect a realistic acknowledgment of President Tinubu’s actions and the need for unity in a country facing numerous challenges.
This group was less concerned with the personal motivations behind Cubana’s decision and more focused on the broader message; supporting the government when it is working for the good of the country. In their view, political loyalty should not be rigid but flexible enough to accommodate changing situations.
In summary, celebrity Cubana Priest’s public admission that he had made a mistake by not supporting President Tinubu earlier is a microcosm of the fluid and often unpredictable nature of Nigerian politics. His shift from supporting presidential candidate, Peter Obi to endorsing Tinubu’s presidency raises important questions about political allegiance, the power of public figures, and the need for Nigerians to come together, regardless of past differences, for the common good.
While some see his admission as an act of political maturity, others view it with skepticism. Ultimately, Cubana’s statement serves as a reminder that in Nigerian politics, as in many other parts of the world, positions can change, and alliances may shift. The real question, however, is whether these changes reflect genuine support for leadership or are merely strategic moves designed to align with the prevailing power structure. In either case, Cubana Priest’s words have sparked an important conversation about the nature of political support, influence, and the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s democracy.
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