Cubana Chief Priest’s comments are less significant for what they reveal about President Tinubu’s personal trust and more important for what they say about the character of Nigeria’s political culture.
His admission that he moved from supporting Peter Obi to backing Tinubu because he “doesn’t want to lose again” reflects a deeply entrenched winner-takes-all mindset.
In this kind of political environment, ideology, policy convictions and long-term commitments are often secondary to proximity to power. Political support becomes transactional, driven by access, influence and perceived advantage rather than principles.
His remark that Tinubu may still view him with suspicion because he is Igbo and once supported Obi also underscores the persistence of ethnic considerations in national politics. Whether or not this perception is accurate, it highlights a broader concern that many political actors believe loyalty is assessed through ethnic and regional lenses. That perception can reinforce distrust and deepen divisions in an already fragmented political landscape.
The statement also illustrates how celebrity endorsements in Nigerian politics are often fluid and opportunistic. Public figures can shape narratives and mobilize followers, but their political positions may change quickly when alliances shift.
This makes such endorsements less about sustained ideological support and more about strategic alignment with those in power.
His dismissal of Peter Obi as “not serious” is politically telling, but it should be viewed as part of the competitive rhetoric that accompanies realignments ahead of elections. It does not necessarily reflect broader voter sentiment, especially given that support for opposition figures tends to be rooted in larger issues such as governance, economic hardship and public dissatisfaction.
Overall, the episode captures three enduring features of Nigerian politics: the premium placed on being aligned with power, the continued influence of ethnic identity, and the transactional nature of political loyalty. These dynamics remain central to understanding how alliances are formed and reshaped as the 2027 elections approach.
