Cubana Chief Priest is once again trending, this time for his fashion choice at Obi Cubana’s 50th birthday party, and this has reignited a fierce debate among Nigerians on social media.

In a nation grappling with rising inflation, unemployment, and a steadily eroding middle class, optics matter. Symbols matter. And so, when socialite and nightlife entrepreneur Cubana Chief Priest was spotted at Obi Cubana’s 50th birthday party donning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s signature election campaign cap, Nigerians on social media wasted no time in expressing their outrage.

And rightly so.

No, celebrities and business moguls are not obligated to speak out against the government. They are not elected officials, and their wealth does not automatically convert into activism. 

But here’s the problem: if you’re not going to lend your voice to the cries of the masses, the least you can do is not mock their suffering.

Wearing the cap of a leader whose government is widely criticised for its role in the nation’s hardship at a luxury party, no less a masterclass in tone-deafness.

The Twitter court of public opinion

One of the most vocal critics, @___Nenny, summarised the sentiment many Nigerians feel.

“Nigerians idolize money way too much. People are going through real suffering, yet I’ve never seen Obi Cubana speak out against the government. Chief Priest and E-Money openly support APC, but we still idolize them. Why? Just because they’re billionaires?”

It’s not just about silence, it’s about what that silence represents. It’s about the message being broadcast when someone who has benefited immensely from a flawed system parades around aligning with power while the powerless struggle to eat.

Some users took the pragmatic stance, like @OGosaks, who wrote:

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“No billionaire with businesses all over speaks against a govt in power. All these guys empower so many people, and that’s their own way of helping. Have u seen Otedola, Jim Ovia, Dangote speak against any govt?”

No billionaire with businesses all over speaks against a govt in power. All these guys empower so many people, and that's their own way of helping. Hv u seen Otedola, Jim Ovia, Dangote speak against any govt. It is worse for Igbo billionaires if they do they will ruin their bus.

— Ébè Ogídì (@OGosaks) April 13, 2025

This isn’t false. Speaking against a sitting government can mean economic suicide for business owners, especially in a country where political power and business opportunities are often tightly intertwined. 

Nigerians idolize money way too much. People are going through real suffering, yet I’ve never seen Obi Cubana speak out against the government. Chief Priest and E-Money openly support APC, but we still idolize them, why? Just because they’re billionaires?

— 𝑵𝒆𝒏𝒚𝒆𝒏𝒘𝒂 Adaora Ugoeƺe (@___Nenny) April 13, 2025

For many of these men, their philanthropy is a calculated replacement for political activism, and perhaps it is enough for them.

@Fearthegodso expanded on this line of thought:

“Peter a billionaire who did or the likes of Onwusibe of landmark, what did they get in return? If you were a successful businesswoman with everything to lose, would you attract unnecessary attacks to yourself for a docile citizenry that will still blame you?”

Valid questions. This is not a plea for martyrdom. It is simply a call for sensitivity.

But as @___Nenny sharply observed in another tweet:

“During the End Bad Governance protests, everyone came for celebrities who stayed silent… watching them flaunt their wealth while people are starving is just cringe-worthy.”

It’s the flaunting that cuts deep. It’s the dancing in the palace while Rome burns. It’s the deafening silence on issues of national importance coupled with visual endorsements of a system that continues to fail millions.

Cubana chief priest looking for Attention to sell his music lol, we all knew you re a sell out . Your desperation stinks 😷

You re yet to show us what Hope Uzodimma you brought upon Ndi imo state has done.

Selling your people for Dorime clients time will we will remember all… pic.twitter.com/EdwTpfubqP

— Voice of Igbos (@Voiceofigbos) April 13, 2025

@RiversState001 framed the core dilemma perfectly.

“If he speaks up and the government targets his business, what will you do to help him? You will simply say he was dining with them, and now they have come for him. You should hold your politicians accountable, not business owners.”

Again, correct, but it doesn’t absolve billionaires from common sense and compassion. You can be apolitical yet not appear indifferent. You can remain silent without mocking those who don’t have the luxury of your silence.

Tone-Deaf, not treasonous

No one is saying Cubana Chief Priest’s fashion choice is a betrayal of the people. He can support whomever he wishes. The cap was not the crime; the context was. 

It was a high-profile social gathering filled with luxury, food, and flamboyance, attended by elites far removed from the economic collapse felt in the streets. Wearing a political symbol in that context, especially one so divisive, was simply unwise.

As @iamossy_ put it:

“Why would you wear a hat with a political insignia to a non-political social event such as a birthday party where the attendees came from all spheres of political parties?”

That’s not just a question, it’s a diagnosis of the crisis of awareness among Nigeria’s elite.

A 9-year old girl identified as Testimony was burnt to d3ath in a fire that engulfed an apartment in the Samakinwa area of Ondo town, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government area of Ondo State, was The minor, who was reportedly mentally challenged, was said to have been locked inside one of the rooms in a four-bedroom flat by her guardian, who had gone to church when the unfortunate incident occurred.  According to eyewitnesses, the fire started around 4:00 pm on Monday, April 14, 2025 and was allegedly caused by an electrical surge.  The inferno engulfed the building, destroying several properties belonging to the occupants.  Tragically, the young girl was trapped inside and burned beyond recognition.  Despite frantic efforts by residents, especially the youths in the area, to rescue her, their attempts were unsuccessful as the door to the room was securely locked. Sympathisers later broke into the room and recovered the charred remains of the girl. The remains of the victim were placed in a corner of the compound as grieving occupants and neighbours wept and lamented the incident.   The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Yaba Division, CSP Victor Olowolagba, led a team of officers to the scene to commence investigation.  He confirmed that four persons had been invited for questioning as part of efforts to determine the exact cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the childs d3ath Olowolagba assured the community that the police would thoroughly investigate the incident.  The remains of the girl, who was said to have been ill for some time, were later evacuated to a yet-to-be-disclosed morgue. Reacting to the tragedy, the youth leader of the area, Comrade Akinbinuade Akinyemi, expressed sorrow over the incident and decried the recurring cases of fire outbreaks in the community.  Reacting to the tragedy, the Youth Leader of the area, Comrade Akinbinuade Akinyemi, expressed sorrow over the incident and decried the recurring cases of fire outbreaks in the communityThe post 9-year-old girl locked up by her guardian burnt to d3ath in Ondo house fire appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed claims circulating on social media alleging that it owed the late Nigerian football legend Christian Chukwu the sum of $128,000 prior to his death.  Chukwu, a former Super Eagles captain and coach, passed away on Saturday, April 12, at the age of 74, prompting an outpouring of grief from across the nation. In response to the reports, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said there was no record within the federation indicating any outstanding financial obligations to Chukwu. He described the claims as unfounded and urged anyone with verifiable proof of such debt to present it. There is no record in the NFF of any outstanding indebtedness to Chairman Christian Chukwu, Sanusi stated. During the first term of the Board headed by Mr. Amaju Pinnick, a committee was set up to diligently peruse the papers of coaches who were being owed, even from previous NFF administrations. Sanusi clarified that Chukwu served as head coach of the national team between 2002 and 2005 and was relieved of his duties after a 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2005 World Cup qualifier in Kano. He insisted that no financial claims from Chukwus tenure remain unsettled. As a credible organization that is very much alive to its responsibilities, if we are confronted with any genuine document of indebtedness to any coach, we will offset the debt immediately, he added. Chukwu, fondly known as Chairman for his commanding presence on the field, captained Nigeria to its historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and left a lasting legacy as both a player and coach. His death has been widely mourned by family, friends, fans, and the wider Nigerian football community.The post NFF denies owing late Christian Chukwu appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.