Banky W To Run For House Of Representatives; Comes Under Heavy Scrutiny

During the week, R & B singer and incipient actor, Banky W, announced his intention to run for the House of Representatives, Eti Osa Constituency, in 2019. His intention didn’t come off as a surprise to many, because the popular personality has been slightly vocal about political issues in Nigeria.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

They said we don’t have the money to run.. we say we our strength lies in our numbers. They said we don’t have the structure, we say we will attempt to build it. They said “what if you lose”? I say, what if we win? You see, my entire life has been a story of just dreaming dreams, praying about those dreams, setting goals, and working until they come true. I can live with trying and failing. I can not live with not trying. So while we may not have a godfather, we do have God. And we have vision. And intellectual capacity. And integrity. And the right intentions. And last but not least, a whole lot of hope. At the end of the day, hope may be all we have, but I believe that it is all we need. Thank you and God bless Nigeria. #Hope19 #EtiOsa #MDP

A post shared by Banky W. (@bankywellington) on Nov 10, 2018 at 2:34pm PST

This, perhaps, comes at the right time when Nigerians desperately want a political paradigm shift from the older generation. However, the average Nigerian youth may not be ready for this change yet.

Since he made the announcement, amidst the support from his industry peers, he has been getting a lot of criticism online from doubtful Nigerians.

People prolly just not supporting Banky W’s political ambition cos it looks like a retirement plan after music. The transition woulda been easy if he was ever vocal or spearheading any political movement before now. ?

— Ferdinand (@Burmese_Tyga) November 10, 2018

I haven’t seen anything that Banky has done that makes him a good political candidate. No track record for how he has made an impact in Nigeria. I’d rather vote for Ada D Body.

— Oyin. (@TheVixenPixie) November 11, 2018

Remembering the role Banky played in bringing in Buhari is why i find it hard to take him serious when it comes to Politics.

— Okeke Chukwuka (@RebelChuck) November 10, 2018

You people are mad in this country, so coz I’m a youth it is mandatory for me to support banky w’s ambition?Femi fani kayode was a youth did he do anything tangible when he had the opportunity?Being a youth running for electoral offices doesn’t guarantee my support automatically

— Capstone (@Koladearest) November 11, 2018

This isn’t the first time in Nigeria’s history where an entertainer or a popular personality share their intention to join the political race within different arms of government. In 2003 (2007 and 2011) artiste turned pastor, Chris Okotie, joined politics with the aim of becoming Nigeria’s president, however, his attempts fell through.

In 2015, veteran Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, ran for a seat at the House of Assembly under the All Progressive Congress and won the Surulere Constituency.

Whether or not Banky W isn’t getting the support of every Nigerian, one cannot dispute the fact that his intention ignites hope.