Popular nightlife promoter, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has responded to the social media backlash trailing a viral photo showing him kneeling before Vice President Kashim Shettima during a recent visit.

The Instagram celebrity came under heavy criticism over the weekend after the image surfaced online, sparking mixed reactions from Nigerians who questioned his repeated public show of submission to political figures.

On Sunday, Cubana Chief Priest took to Instagram to defend his action, declaring that he knelt not only out of respect but also from deep admiration for leaders he looks up to.

“Una dey cry say I kneel. Me and my beloved wife sef join kneel the first time I visited the residence of VP,” he wrote in a post alongside a photo of him and his wife kneeling before Vice President Shettima.

“A couple of years ago, my loyalty na water, e dey flow scatter. Na my Papa be this…, he added.”

In a follow-up Instagram story, he doubled down on his stance, sharing another video of himself kneeling before Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

“Kneeling na water. When I see what I admire and desire, I go on my knees,” he wrote.

His comments come just days after his Abuja visit alongside singer Davido and talent manager Ubi Franklin to top political leaders, including Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

While some Nigerians applauded his show of humility, others accused him of excessive sycophancy, questioning the intent behind the gesture. Critics claimed the move was strategic and tied to personal business interests.

Cubana Chief Priest has yet to address the allegations directly but maintained that his actions are consistent with his values and personality.