The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Comrade Chinedu Ogah, on Friday berated socialite and businessman Paschal Okechukwu Chibuike, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, over an attack on Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, demanding an apology from him or facing legal action.

Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, Ogah described the alleged remarks attributed to Cubana Chief Priest as unacceptable, arguing that the businessman had no electoral mandate to speak for Ebonyi State or demand the resignation of its elected governor.

Paschal Okechukwu Chibuike had, in a comment, demanded that Governor Francis Nwifuru should resign as governor siting non performance.

But Ogah, in quick reaction, demanded the immediate retraction of alleged disparaging comments against Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, threatening legal action if the comments are not withdrawn.

“Who is Cubana Chief Priest? What is the address that gives him the impetus to speak against our governor, the most performing governor in Nigeria?” Ogah asked.

The lawmaker said the alleged comments were not only an attack on Nwifuru but also an affront to the people and political stakeholders of Ebonyi State.

“He should withdraw that statement and apologise to Ebonyians. He is insulting Ebonyians. He is insulting us as National Assembly members and other well-meaning stakeholders of this state,” he said.

Ogah further challenged Cubana Chief Priest to demonstrate his political relevance, questioning why he should seek to influence political affairs in Ebonyi when, according to him, the socialite had no electoral mandate in the state.

“If he said he is popular, why is it that he could not win the primary of the election he contested in Imo State?” he asked.

The federal lawmaker also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate Cubana Chief Priest’s financial and business activities, alleging that his public profile should not shield him from scrutiny by relevant authorities.

“I am urging EFCC to thoroughly investigate him, investigate his bank accounts, investigate all the things he does,” Ogah said.

He also accused unnamed political actors of allegedly sponsoring campaigns aimed at discrediting the Nwifuru administration and weakening the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ogah argued that such activities could ultimately undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political fortunes in the South-East, stressing that Nwifuru remained one of the major political allies of the President in the region.

“Those people are making Mr President not to win the election in 2027, because they won’t stand to work with the President,” he said.

He also criticised another critic of the state government, Charles Otu, accusing him of allegedly mobilising persons from outside Ebonyi State to participate in a demonstration in Abuja against the state government.

Ogah alleged that the protesters were presented as Ebonyians despite allegedly originating from different parts of the country.

“He went and mobilised fake people claiming they are Ebonyians to demonstrate in Abuja. I would have asked the police: why can’t you investigate and audit those people that he mobilised?” he asked.

“You find out some of them are from Benue, some of them are from Nyanya, some of them are from Kaduna, some of them are from Kano. They are not Ebonyians. For that, he has no local standing to speak for Ebonyi people,” Ogah alleged.

He further disclosed that his lawyers had previously petitioned the DSS over allegations involving Otu, urging the security agency to investigate the matter.
“My lawyers have written a petition against Charles Otu before now to the DSS, and they have not investigated that matter,” Ogah said.

On the administration of Governor Nwifuru, Ogah cited the state government’s scholarship programmes, school construction, road projects and other development initiatives as evidence of its performance.

He claimed that hundreds of Ebonyi indigenes had benefited from postgraduate scholarships in Nigeria and overseas, while schools and roads were being constructed across the state’s 13 local government areas.

Ogah maintained that the governor had also demonstrated political tolerance by allowing opposition politicians to conduct political activities in the state.

He argued that political contests should be determined by voters rather than through media attacks, protests or alleged mobilisation of outsiders.

He maintained that Nwifuru’s political influence and the APC’s electoral performance in Ebonyi made the governor an important stakeholder in the President’s 2027 re-election project.

Ogah warned political actors against what he described as attempts to exploit the media to destabilise the state, insisting that disagreements should be addressed through established legal and democratic mechanisms.

Ogah, the TSG State Coordinator, said he would continue to use lawful channels to defend the interests of his constituents and the state, while urging security agencies to investigate the allegations raised and take appropriate action where necessary.