Story Highlights
Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has triggered intense controversy on social media following his emergence as the South East Zonal Coordinator for the City Boy Movement, a pro-APC group led by Seyi Tinubu. The appointment, confirmed via campaign posters circulating on January 23, 2026, has divided public opinion, with critics calling it a betrayal of regional interests while supporters defend it as a strategic business move.
Social media platforms erupted in fierce debate on Friday, January 23, 2026, after campaign materials surfaced showing prominent businessman Obi Cubana as a key figure for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The circulated posters identify the Cubana Group Chairman as the South East Zonal Coordinator for the City Boy Movement.
This political organization is famously led by Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, and played a significant role in the 2023 elections.
Visuals of the nightlife entrepreneur wearing the ruling party’s signature broom symbol and colours have shocked many of his followers.
For a region that overwhelmingly supported the opposition in previous cycles, this alignment has sparked immediate accusations of betrayal.
Business survival or political sell-out?
Critics have wasted no time describing the move as a calculation to protect his vast business empire rather than a genuine political conviction.
Many social media users argued that business owners in Nigeria often feel compelled to align with the ruling powers to safeguard their investments.
This perspective gains weight when considering recent challenges the mogul has faced with regulatory bodies.
The move comes just months after reports surfaced that Obi Cubana loses property housing Abuja lounge to court enforcement, fueling speculation that he seeks stronger political cover for his assets.
One user, SportsDokitor, noted that the entrepreneur is simply protecting his personal interests regardless of the state of the nation.
Another commentator, Jules Eby, echoed this sentiment, stating that a “proper businessman” cannot turn down an offer that secures his financial future.
However, others were less forgiving, describing the acceptance of the role as a display of a lack of integrity.
Online critic Chaze Idibia labelled the move as a “sell-out,” claiming that the elite care more for relevance than good governance.
The 2027 political calculations
The appointment raises significant questions about the political landscape of the South East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts view this as a strategic inroad by the APC to fracture the opposition’s stronghold in the region using influential local figures. Seyi Tinubu’s influence in these recruitments appears central to the strategy.
His growing reach was highlighted recently when King Mitchy reveals Seyi Tinubu gave her over N100m for charity, demonstrating the immense financial chest available to his movement.
Some observers, like Isi Kote Ebu, questioned if Obi Cubana would now actively campaign against Peter Obi, the region’s preferred candidate in the last cycle.
Others, like Sir Calypso, used the incident to make broader generalizations about Nigerian leadership, arguing that integrity often vanishes when power is offered.
Supporters of the ruling party, however, see this as a sign of changing tides.
User Abiola Shodiya confidently declared that the region would eventually fall to the APC by 2027.
Regardless of the motive, Obi Cubana has firmly placed himself in the centre of the political arena, a move that will likely define his public image for years to come.
