Nigerian singer, actor, filmmaker and politician Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, has opened up about how his defeat in the 2023 House of Representatives election changed his outlook on life and eventually led him into pastoral ministry.
The entertainer made this known while celebrating his first anniversary in pastoral ministry in the United States, reflecting on how the political setback became a turning point in his personal and spiritual journey.
Banky W, who contested to represent Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost to Labour Party candidate Thaddeus Attah in the election.
According to him, the outcome was emotionally devastating, despite the lessons he gained from the experience.
“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,” he wrote.
He explained that after the disappointment, he turned to God for direction, surrendering his personal ambitions and seeking clarity about the next phase of his life.
Banky W said he initially struggled with questions about whether he should focus on politics and leadership or pursue ministry, entertainment and business.
However, he eventually came to the realisation that his different interests and responsibilities did not necessarily have to conflict with one another.
“And somewhere along the way, I realised that I was asking God to choose between things He had never asked me to separate,” he said.
The singer added that the experience helped him understand his purpose differently, describing the transition as an expansion of his responsibilities rather than an abandonment of his previous pursuits.
“Turns out, God wasn’t trying to put me in a box. He was expanding my assignment,” he added.
Now serving as a pastor while maintaining his involvement in music, filmmaking, entrepreneurship and academia, Banky W said he continues to balance his professional commitments with his ministry.
He also reflected humorously on his transition, recalling that he previously joked that the letter “P” in his name, P. Banks, represented professor rather than pastor.
“I used to joke that the ‘P’ in P.Banks stood for Professor, not Pastor. I guess God heard and said, ‘Why not both?’” he wrote.
Banky W further acknowledged the challenges of travelling regularly between Lagos and the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area to attend to his various responsibilities.
“Constantly travelling back and forth between Lagos and the DMV isn’t always easy. But has it been worth it? Absolutely,” he said.
Reflecting on the past year, the entertainer said the election defeat had taught him that setbacks could lead to unexpected opportunities and a new understanding of one’s purpose.
“The election didn’t go the way I hoped. But God’s plans for my life are bigger than the plans I had for myself,” he stated.
