By Faith Eze
A fresh public war of words has broken out between popular nightlife entrepreneur Paschal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, and a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Chinedu Ogah. The tension escalated after the federal lawmaker leveled serious allegations against the celebrity barman, including claims of financial misconduct. In response, the businessman has strongly denied any wrongdoing and made it clear that he is prepared to fight back through the courts.
The root of the conflict began when Cubana Chief Priest publicly criticized the administration of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru. In a viral video statement, the socialite expressed dissatisfaction with the state of governance and urged the governor to step down, alleging a lack of significant infrastructure development in the region compared to other parts of the South-East. These remarks quickly drew heavy backlash from political officeholders and loyalists who viewed the comments as an unfair attack on the state leadership and an attempt to discredit political progress.
Reacting fiercely to the criticism, Honourable Chinedu Ogah, who represents the Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, took to social media and media briefings to address the celebrity. The lawmaker questioned the background and credibility of the nightlife entrepreneur, asking what qualified him to evaluate the performance of an elected governor. Moving beyond political disagreements, Ogah publicly accused Cubana Chief Priest of alleged money laundering and called on anti-graft agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to launch a full investigation into his financial records and source of wealth. Furthermore, the politician claimed that the socialite was part of an external attempt to undermine the political standing of President Bola Tinubu's allies in the region.
Not one to let such serious claims slide, Cubana Chief Priest wasted little time in issuing a sharp response. He dismissed the accusations as a calculated attempt by political actors to damage his reputation. Accusing the lawmaker of acting as a hitman for the state governor to attack his personality, the celebrity stated that words alone would not suffice. He explicitly announced his intention to initiate legal proceedings, challenging his accuser to step forward and present concrete proof in a court of law.
The unfolding drama has since captured the attention of social media users and entertainment followers across Nigeria. Online commentators expressed mixed feelings about the feud, with some criticizing politicians for using state power to silence public commentary, while others urged caution regarding how public figures flaunt their wealth and engage in political debates.
Supporters of the celebrity rallied behind his right to free speech, whereas defenders of the lawmaker maintained that public figures should respect elected officials. As both parties prepare for potential legal battles, the public eye remains fixed on whether the threats of lawsuits will translate into formal court actions.