Popular socialite and businessman, Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has taken a swipe at Ebonyi State over what he described as poverty, backwardness and poor governance, while praising Enugu, Anambra and Abia for embracing innovation and development.
Cubana Chief Priest, in a social media post, portrayed Enugu, Anambra and Abia as states increasingly showing the kind of economic ambition and innovative leadership capable of changing the fortunes of the Southeast.
According to him, the three states are demonstrating greater openness to innovation, investment and modern economic opportunities, setting them apart in his assessment of the region’s development trajectory.
He, however, delivered a scathing assessment of Ebonyi, accusing the state of lagging behind in development and lamenting the level of poverty confronting its people.
The remarks have further put Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration under the spotlight, exposing it to renewed questions over its performance and the extent to which government policies are translating into improved living standards for ordinary Ebonyians.
The controversy also raises a fundamental question of governance: if neighbouring Southeast states can aggressively pursue innovation, investment and economic transformation, why should Ebonyi continue to be associated with poverty and underdevelopment?
While supporters of the Ebonyi government are expected to challenge Cubana Chief Priest’s assessment, his criticism has amplified public scrutiny of the administration’s record on employment, industrialisation, infrastructure, investment and poverty reduction.
The comparison with Enugu, Anambra and Abia is particularly significant because the four states operate within the same broader Southeast economic and cultural environment, yet their approaches to development and investment increasingly differ.
Cubana Chief Priest’s intervention has therefore opened a wider debate about leadership accountability in the Southeast, with citizens demanding more than political rhetoric and government projects—they want measurable improvements in jobs, incomes, businesses, infrastructure and quality of life.
For Governor Nwifuru’s administration, the remarks represent another test of public confidence. Beyond political responses, the most compelling answer would be verifiable data showing how government policies have reduced poverty, expanded economic opportunities and improved the welfare of Ebonyi residents.
The debate is no longer simply about which Southeast state is performing better. It is increasingly about what kind of leadership can unlock the region’s enormous human and economic potential—and why some states appear to be moving faster than others.
