Nigerian singer, actor and entrepreneur Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, has opened up about the emotional pain he experienced after losing the 2023 House of Representatives election in Lagos State.
The entertainer disclosed that his defeat in the election left him heartbroken and prompted him to seek God’s direction concerning the next phase of his life and career.
Banky W contested for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general election but lost the contest.
Reflecting on the experience, the singer explained that the outcome forced him to reconsider his priorities and question whether he should concentrate on politics, entertainment, business or ministry.
He shared the experience while celebrating his first anniversary as a pastor, describing the period following the election as a significant turning point in his spiritual journey.
According to him, the disappointment made him surrender his plans to God and seek clarity about his purpose.
Banky W explained that he initially viewed his different interests and professional responsibilities as separate paths, wondering which one God wanted him to pursue.
However, he later realised that he did not necessarily have to abandon one aspect of his life to embrace another.
In a statement reflecting on his journey, he said the election defeat broke his heart into pieces, but it also brought him closer to God as he sought answers about his future.
He said, “In 2023, I lost an election. And while the experience inspired me in many ways, it also broke my heart into a million little pieces. When the dust settled, I took those pieces back to God. And I surrendered.
“I asked Him, ‘What’s next? What’s Your will for my life? Is it leadership or ministry? Entertainment or business? Marketplace or ministry?’”
The singer added that he eventually understood that he was not required to choose between his different interests because they could all form part of his purpose.
“Somewhere along the way, I realised I was asking God to choose between things He had never asked me to separate. It wasn’t either/or. It was all of the above,” he said.
Banky W further explained that his understanding of his calling had expanded, allowing him to continue his work in entertainment and business while also serving in pastoral ministry.
According to him, he remains a filmmaker, musician and entrepreneur while embracing his responsibilities as a pastor and professor.
He also recalled joking that the letter “P” in his name, P.Banks, stood for Professor rather than Pastor, adding humorously that God appeared to have made room for both roles in his life.
Reflecting on the past year, the entertainer said the experience had taught him that an apparent disappointment could become the beginning of a new chapter.
“One year later, I’m reminded that sometimes what feels like the end of your story is really just God turning the page,” he said.
He added that although the election did not produce the result he had hoped for, he had come to believe that God’s plans for his life were greater than his personal expectations.
Banky W concluded his message by celebrating his first anniversary in pastoral ministry and expressing optimism about the years ahead.
“One year down. A lifetime of purpose ahead,” he said, as he marked the milestone and asked his followers to celebrate the occasion with him.
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