Will Banky W conquer Eti Osa ? Nigerian entertainer, and record label boss, Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W, recently made public his intention to contest a seat in the Federal House of Representative.
The singer and chairman of Empire Mates Entertainment had stated his intention to represent the Eti Osa local constituency of Lagos state, in a debut declaration of the Modern Democratic Party in Lagos. The political party which is led by Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, a 27-year-old youth activist and entrepreneur, was founded in 2017 by some youth associations.
Will Banky W conquer Eti Osa?
Speaking on why he felt the need to venture into the unfamiliar political territory, and contest a seat in the House of Reps, the Wedding Party star had opined that, “our generation needs a realistic rallying point. We need to begin in the community, earn our way into the system and up the ladder”. He went on further to say that the people in the communities need “someone to stick their neck out and pave the way”.
Acknowledging the strength of the opposition, Mr. Wellington had stated that he is under no illusion that his campaign would be smooth sailing, but he says that is strength lies “in our numbers”.
The declaration event, which had many celebrities, professionals, fans, and citizens in attendance was filled with optimism, as Banky W, and the chain of speakers at the event rendered the air with motivational speeches.
‘’They said we do not have money to run, we say our strength lies in our numbers. They say we do not have a structure, we say we will attempt to build one. They said what if we lose, I say what if we win’’, the Yes and No crooner had said.
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Will Banky W conquer Eti Osa? But that in itself is the problem. What if he wins, what then?
Many socio-political associations have held sensitization campaigns and rallies to educate the citizenry, especially youths, on the need to take the mantle from the older generation and hand over the baton to the younger generation. In anticipation of the forthcoming general elections scheduled to hold in 2019, the call for a ‘youthful representation’ at the helm of affairs, in all strata of governance, has heightened. But does being a youth become the sole criterion for becoming the solution to the numerous societal problems currently bedeviling the nation?
The Nigerian political set up is one that can easily sway a man, or woman, who is not deep-rooted in what he believes in and stands for. Over the years, we have had young politicians who have sold us over on the seeming right ideas, but when they finally get there, they join the bandwagon. Since they cannot beat them, they joined them, whilst making excuses to justify their incompetence. What different route is Banky W hoping to walk so he doesn’t get corrupted and co-opted into becoming that which had originally set out to fight against. What are his strategies? These are the things that we need to know, not just listening to the sweet words that fall out of the young mouth.
What if he wins, and like the youth that he is, becomes overwhelmed by the sheer fact that he is now responsible for a certain number of persons under his constituency? What if his young, inexperienced, mind collapses under such weight load? What then?
At this point, special recognition has to go to young leaders such as Desmond Elliot, who have surpassed imaginations, and done exceedingly well for their constituents.
We at Naijmobile are of the opinion that being a leader is more than just being young in age. Competence, personal discipline, and principles, the ability to actually lead, patience, unique ideas etc are some of the major criteria for becoming a successful leader. And until Mr. Wellington, and the host of other ‘youth representatives’ in the 2019 elections, successfully marry these things with their youth, they cannot achieve much.
