Only God Promotes: The Lesson From Cubana Chief Priest’s 14 Votes -By Isaac Asabor

There is a timeless truth many people often forget in the pursuit of power, fame, influence and political relevance: only God promotes.

No matter how connected a person may appear, no matter the proximity to presidents, governors, billionaires or political heavyweights, human connections alone cannot guarantee elevation where God has not approved it.

That hard reality appears to have manifested publicly in the reported outcome of the APC primary election involving celebrity businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, who reportedly secured only 14 votes in his bid for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East federal constituency seat in Imo State.

For many Nigerians, the outcome came as a shock. After all, Cubana Chief Priest is constantly seen in the company of some of the nation’s most powerful political figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma and Seyi Tinubu. His social media presence loudly projected influence, access and elite political connections. Yet when the actual political test arrived, the outcome reportedly produced only 14 votes.

That result is more than a political disappointment. It is a spiritual and life lesson that human beings must never mistake association for divine approval. The Bible makes this truth abundantly clear in Psalm 75:6-7 which says: “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” This scripture perfectly captures the deeper meaning behind the political moment Nigerians witnessed.

Many people wrongly believe that closeness to influential people automatically guarantees elevation. But throughout history, both in politics and in life, God has repeatedly shown mankind that He alone determines who rises and who falls.

In fact, while it is true that association with people of high net worth and influence can open doors and create opportunities for advancement in various spheres of life, it is equally important to recognize that ultimate promotion comes from God. As the Scripture declares, “God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another” (Psalm 75:6–7). No matter how powerful or influential human connections may be, they cannot secure a person’s elevation unless God stirs their hearts to act, for “the king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1). Without divine backing, human goodwill amounts to little, which is why the Psalmist admonishes that “it is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes” (Psalm 118:8–9). Therefore, networking alone cannot guarantee favor or assistance; it is only when God inclines the hearts of others toward you that their help becomes truly meaningful and effective, for “the blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he added no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).

In fact, a person may dine with kings and still remain politically rejected. Another person with little visibility may suddenly rise because heaven has approved his elevation.

That is why Cubana Chief Priest’s experience serves as a powerful reminder that social media popularity is not the same thing as divine promotion. Celebrity status is not destiny. Human endorsement is not equal to God’s approval.

In fact, one of the greatest mistakes people make is assuming that proximity to power automatically translates into personal power. It does not. The Bible again reinforces this reality in Daniel 2:21: This means leadership, promotion and elevation ultimately remain in God’s hands, not in the hands of political godfathers, wealthy associates or powerful friends.

For months, Cubana Chief Priest projected himself as one of the loudest celebrity defenders of the APC administration. In fact, his name almost became synonymous with “City Boy”.  He attended political gatherings, openly aligned himself with the ruling party and consistently showcased his closeness to influential political actors. To many observers, it appeared that his political future was already secured through those relationships. But politics, like life itself, has a way of exposing the difference between human assumptions and divine reality.

The reported 14 votes revealed that access to influential people cannot replace the deeper foundations required for genuine elevation, whether politically or spiritually.

Another important biblical lesson emerges from this situation: God resists pride and self-glorification. Proverbs 16:18 warns:  “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

In modern society, fame often creates the illusion of invincibility. Celebrities begin to believe public admiration automatically translates into authority everywhere else. Social media applause starts looking like real influence. Association with powerful figures begins to feel like guaranteed success. But God repeatedly uses situations like this to humble human pride and remind people that no one can rise beyond what heaven permits.

The truth is that politics is not sustained by glamour, luxury or celebrity hype. More importantly, life itself is not sustained by human validation alone.

In fact, only God opens doors that no man can shut. Revelation 3:7 says: “What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open”. This is why many people who appear weak today eventually rise unexpectedly, while others who seem untouchable suddenly experience public disappointment.

In fact, human beings see connections. God sees purpose. Human beings celebrate appearances. God controls outcomes. Even the reported explanation surrounding zoning arrangements within the constituency further reveals a deeper reality: there are certain doors human effort alone cannot force open when the timing or approval is absent. This is not merely about politics. It is about life.

Many people today exhaust themselves chasing connections instead of seeking God’s direction. They believe knowing powerful people is the highest guarantee for success. But countless experiences across history have shown otherwise.

Some people possess all the connections in the world yet fail repeatedly. Others with little human support rise beyond imagination because divine favour speaks for them. The Bible says in Proverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.”

Even the hearts of political leaders, delegates and decision-makers remain under God’s ultimate control.

That is the lesson many Nigerians can draw from this political episode. Cubana Chief Priest’s reported 14 votes should remind everyone that there is a limit to human influence. There is a limit to celebrity power. There is a limit to political association.

But there is no limit to what God can do when He decides to elevate a person. At the end of the day, no amount of public visibility can replace divine approval. Because while social media can create perception, only God creates promotion. And that remains the greatest lesson of all.