SOUTHEAST FIRESTORM: Cubana Chief Priest Warns Tinubu of Political Ruin if Nnamdi Kanu Remains Detained

The political atmosphere in Nigeria was shaken on Thursday after celebrity businessman and nightlife mogul, Cubana Chief Priest, issued one of the most explosive political warnings of the year to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a lengthy and emotional message posted on social media, he declared that the President would “never get up to 10,000 votes in the South-East in 2027” if the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is not released. His statement has sparked a wave of reactions nationwide, intensifying an already heated debate about justice, governance, and the future of the South-East.

Cubana Chief Priest, known for his influence and strong ties across political and entertainment circles, did not mince words. Speaking in what many have described as the voice of a frustrated region, he warned that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu has become a major stumbling block for the federal government’s relationship with the people of the South-East. According to him, no amount of political maneuvering, endorsements, or strategic meetings can repair the broken trust unless the IPOB leader regains his freedom.

He addressed President Tinubu directly, writing: “As long as MNK remains in jail, you cannot and will never get up to 10,000 votes in the South-East come 2027.” His tone was unapologetic, sharp, and filled with the urgency of someone who believes the political clock is ticking fast against the ruling administration. The businessman, who described himself as a friend of the government, said he owed the President honesty, not flattery. And the truth, he insisted, is that the South-East has reached a breaking point.

In his message, Cubana Chief Priest described Nnamdi Kanu as “the supreme leader of the South-East,” a title that underscores just how deeply the IPOB leader’s name resonates across the region. He lamented that Kanu’s detention has caused “so much setback,” affecting peace, politics, and even the everyday social fabric of Igbo communities. He expressed shock that none of the ministers from the region have been bold enough to tell the President the truth, calling them “cowards” and accusing them of lacking the capacity to earn the trust and respect of the people.

He also took aim at governors from the region, predicting that they would “all disappoint” President Tinubu because, according to him, they have nothing meaningful to tell the people as long as Nnamdi Kanu remains behind bars. The message delivered a scathing review of the political leadership in the South-East, portraying them as disconnected, compromised, and powerless in addressing the concerns of their own people.

In a dramatic revelation, he claimed that those who sit around the President in private meetings — “those people on that table with you at Delborough Hotel” — are “bags of deceit,” including himself. He said these individuals cannot even visit their hometowns because of the public anger surrounding Kanu’s continued detention. Their loyalty, he alleged, is driven not by interest in public welfare but by personal gain, especially land deals and business interests.

Cubana Chief Priest insisted that only Nnamdi Kanu’s release can secure genuine votes for President Tinubu in 2027, declaring Kanu the undisputed key to winning the hearts of the electorate in the region. He praised Abia State governor, Alex Otti, calling him one of the few leaders who can genuinely convince the people because of the trust he enjoys. He also faulted the President for missing the opportunity to attend Otti’s project commissioning in Abia, instead sending what he described as an “incompetent minister” who has “done nothing for us.” The businessman said this decision worsened the already fragile perception of the federal government in the region.

He further urged Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, whom he referred to as “my father,” to use his influence to champion Kanu’s release. He said the governor’s legacy would suffer immensely if he failed to act, warning that all his achievements would be “swept under the carpet” by the weight of public dissatisfaction. In his words, “Your legacies will be swept under the carpet if you don’t get it right… MNK’s detention has messed up all your achievements.”

The message carried a mixture of political prophecy, personal appeal, and stern warning. Cubana Chief Priest emphasized that he owed both President Tinubu and Governor Uzodimma sincerity, not silence. He recounted the respect he has for the President — recalling the honor of his first “presidential handshake” and the access he was given to the Villa — but insisted that he must speak the truth “so as not to watch him fail.”

He called on the President to appeal the court judgment that recently resulted in heightened legal consequences for Kanu and to “get it right” before 2027. He warned that failure to act could ultimately cost Tinubu the presidency in the next election cycle. “Without MNK outside, everything shall fall into pieces,” he said with dramatic emphasis, adding that the South-East “belongs to MNK.”

He ended his message with a highly symbolic statement: “This is the words of the gods. Play with it at your own risk.” Those words, already circulating widely across social media, have become the latest rallying cry in a region that feels increasingly unheard and politically misunderstood.

The response to his message has been intense. While some praise Cubana Chief Priest for speaking boldly, others caution that his words could deepen political divides. Still, his comments highlight a deeper truth: the question of Nnamdi Kanu remains one of the most emotionally charged issues in the South-East, and any federal strategy for peace, unity, or political relevance in the region cannot escape addressing it directly.

As Nigeria marches toward the 2027 general elections, the drums of political tension grow louder. Whether the President will heed the warning or dismiss it as the rant of a celebrity remains to be seen. But one thing is clear — the South-East is watching closely, and the clock, as Cubana Chief Priest made clear, is ticking.