Nigerian entrepreneur and socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has stated that his increasing involvement in political discourse is not motivated by personal ambition or the pursuit of political office.
The businessman, who is a known supporter of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made this clarification in a statement issued on Monday, where he outlined the reasons behind his growing engagement in national conversations on governance and development.
According to Obi Cubana, his participation in political discussions is rooted in a desire to promote inclusive governance and foster meaningful engagement between citizens and leaders across Nigeria. He emphasized that his background remains firmly in the private sector, where he has built his career through entrepreneurship and strategic investments.
“I have built my career as a private citizen through hard work, entrepreneurship, and strategic investments. I have never held public office nor benefited from government patronage,” he said.
He explained that his current role is focused on creating platforms that encourage dialogue, particularly among young Nigerians and between different generations and regions of the country. He noted that such engagement is necessary to strengthen democratic participation and ensure that governance reflects the needs of the people.
“My involvement in political discourse is purely driven by a desire to create platforms for meaningful engagement—especially between young people and the older generation, and across Nigeria’s diverse regions,” he added.
Obi Cubana further revealed that his recent exposure to political processes has highlighted a significant disconnect between government policies and the expectations of citizens. According to him, even policies designed with good intentions often fail to achieve their desired impact due to poor communication or a lack of alignment with public needs.
“The gap between government and the people is real, and it is reflected in overwhelming public opinion,” he stated. “In recent months, I have observed that many policies, though designed with good intentions, fail to make a tangible impact on citizens, either due to poor communication or inadequate understanding of public expectations.”
He called on governments at all levels to take deliberate steps toward improving transparency, accountability, and empathy in governance. Stressing the importance of public trust, Obi Cubana noted that rebuilding confidence in leadership must be a continuous and intentional effort.
“It is unfortunate when citizens lose trust in their government. Rebuilding that trust must be a continuous and intentional effort. The people ultimately hold the power in a democracy, and their voices must be respected and reflected in governance,” he said.
Addressing criticisms that followed some of his recent comments, the entrepreneur dismissed allegations of anti-Igbo sentiment, describing such claims as false and divisive. He reaffirmed his respect for all ethnic groups in Nigeria and warned against narratives that could deepen divisions in the country.
“I have never, and will never, subscribe to any narrative that undermines the intelligence, unity, or contribution of the Igbo people or any ethnic group in Nigeria. Such insinuations are false and only serve to create division,” he stated.
Obi Cubana also advocated for a more coordinated and integrated approach to governance, emphasizing that meaningful development cannot be achieved through a centralized system alone. He called for collaboration across local, state, and federal levels to ensure that policies translate into real improvements in people’s lives.
“We must begin to see governance as an integrated system. Development cannot be centralised; it must be coordinated across all tiers to truly impact lives,” he noted.
Speaking on his association with the City Boy Movement, he described the initiative as a platform aimed at redefining civic engagement in Nigeria. According to him, the movement seeks to create opportunities for young people and the private sector to actively contribute to governance and policy direction.
“The City Boy Movement represents an opportunity to redefine civic engagement by creating space for constructive dialogue where young Nigerians and the private sector can actively contribute to governance and policy direction,” he said.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to move beyond ethnic-based politics and instead focus on ideas, policies, and collective progress. According to him, reducing political participation to ethnic sentiments undermines the essence of democracy and hinders national development.
“Our focus should be on ideas, policies, and collective progress—not divisive narratives,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when political engagement among private sector figures is gaining traction, with increasing calls for broader participation in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.
