BANKY'S UNSEEMING VICTORIES AT THE ELECTIONS
There is a long list of things about myself I keep very private. My undying love for Banky W isn't one of them. I have been an avid fan since 'time immemorial' (such a boring phrase by the way) and single handedly made it my duty to purchase every single album and commit the lyrics to every single song to memory, including his one time campaign anthem for Etisalat. Remember that?
It's why I feel a bit ashamed to confess my slightly rueful reaction to news of his candidacy for the House of Reps seat (Eti-Osa Local Government). Undoubtedly, a huge part of that disapproval stemmed from my selfishness. Typical.
Somewhere in my obsessed head was a conviction that I'd have to say goodbye to the wholesome entertainer in him, my "Banky W, don't mean to trouble you;" My poster boy for all things R&B and romance. And I wasn't quite ready for that.
Meanwhile, the exasperated Nigerian in me sincerely hoped he was running singularly for the right reasons. I knew if he won and didn't live up to his promises, I'd never see him in the same light again. I knew that I'd throw him into my little black box of unprincipled and amoral public officials and permanently, too.
But of course, a better part worried for him. You see, politics can be dirty and possesses profound capabilities to rub off the wrong way and steal one's soul. I genuinely worried for his. I particularly like the man Banky has become (especially since Adesua) and unmindfully concerned myself with the sorts of effect his politicking would produce.
Yet Banky proceeded, exceptionally undettered, and would eventually pour out his heart and soul every single day for the three month period spanning his official declaration to the date of elections.
I occassionally perused his campaign website, listened to nearly every interview and speech. In fact, his songs, preaching policy reformation years before he dreamt of running for office or at least started to entertain the idea seriously, made the cut.
Banky passionately soared through the criticism, the "gorimapa Chris Brown" references and even the omission of the Modern Democratic Party's logo on the voting sheets.
All of a sudden, the intense doubt I once felt became doused with regret and culminated in deep shame. But more importantly, the possibility of his securing the seat didn't feel unattainable anymore.
Through Banky's eyes and steadfastness I caught a rare glimpse of the future. I saw the walls of mediocrity in governance being broken down. I saw hard-core supporters, both young and old, stand to defend their votes even if Banky didn't eventually triumph. I saw the possibility of a new Nigeria.
I saw a man so distressed by the current dynamic, fearlessly take hold of the mantle. I saw a man ardently attempt to create change- youth led change. I saw a man hungry for progress and new beginnings.
A man, though imperfect himself, would try his hardest to rectify ills and rebuild the type of nation, through many small changes, our children would be proud of. I saw a man with vision and foresight unafraid to fight for its manifestation. I saw a man genuinely dare to contest for a greater Nigeria against the big dogs albeit only with the support of personal and crowd sourced funds. If ever Banky felt fear or lost hope at any point, you could never tell. He truly was living out his purpose.
Finally, and I say this with every sense of respect, I saw a true representation of what we need in our political offices- not in 2023, but right here and now.
And in all of that, Banky really, truly tasted victory. Nigeria took a shortened step into the future. That to me is worthy of celebration.
Olubankole Wellington indeed has done what many merely chatter about- he offered himself to propel the change we all seek. It is why I am so certain that this is neither a complete loss nor the end of the road.
I get the feeling and am inclined to profess that someday I'm gonna say to my little girl and boy, that's Banky, our new president-elect, and precisely in his exact words "if I [he] can get here, then surely you can make it too."
I'll leave you here with all my love and one of my favourite quotes:
"We fight the little battles to give us strength to win wars. So we keep fighting."
-Adesua Etomi-Wellington
Cheers to a lovely weekend!
~A.J.
There is a long list of things about myself I keep very private. My undying love for Banky W isn't one of them. I have been an avid fan since 'time immemorial' (such a boring phrase by the way) and single handedly made it my duty to purchase every single album and commit the lyrics to every single song to memory, including his one time campaign anthem for Etisalat. Remember that?
It's why I feel a bit ashamed to confess my slightly rueful reaction to news of his candidacy for the House of Reps seat (Eti-Osa Local Government). Undoubtedly, a huge part of that disapproval stemmed from my selfishness. Typical.
Somewhere in my obsessed head was a conviction that I'd have to say goodbye to the wholesome entertainer in him, my "Banky W, don't mean to trouble you;" My poster boy for all things R&B and romance. And I wasn't quite ready for that.
Meanwhile, the exasperated Nigerian in me sincerely hoped he was running singularly for the right reasons. I knew if he won and didn't live up to his promises, I'd never see him in the same light again. I knew that I'd throw him into my little black box of unprincipled and amoral public officials and permanently, too.
But of course, a better part worried for him. You see, politics can be dirty and possesses profound capabilities to rub off the wrong way and steal one's soul. I genuinely worried for his. I particularly like the man Banky has become (especially since Adesua) and unmindfully concerned myself with the sorts of effect his politicking would produce.
Yet Banky proceeded, exceptionally undettered, and would eventually pour out his heart and soul every single day for the three month period spanning his official declaration to the date of elections.
I occassionally perused his campaign website, listened to nearly every interview and speech. In fact, his songs, preaching policy reformation years before he dreamt of running for office or at least started to entertain the idea seriously, made the cut.
Banky passionately soared through the criticism, the "gorimapa Chris Brown" references and even the omission of the Modern Democratic Party's logo on the voting sheets.
All of a sudden, the intense doubt I once felt became doused with regret and culminated in deep shame. But more importantly, the possibility of his securing the seat didn't feel unattainable anymore.
Through Banky's eyes and steadfastness I caught a rare glimpse of the future. I saw the walls of mediocrity in governance being broken down. I saw hard-core supporters, both young and old, stand to defend their votes even if Banky didn't eventually triumph. I saw the possibility of a new Nigeria.
I saw a man so distressed by the current dynamic, fearlessly take hold of the mantle. I saw a man ardently attempt to create change- youth led change. I saw a man hungry for progress and new beginnings.
A man, though imperfect himself, would try his hardest to rectify ills and rebuild the type of nation, through many small changes, our children would be proud of. I saw a man with vision and foresight unafraid to fight for its manifestation. I saw a man genuinely dare to contest for a greater Nigeria against the big dogs albeit only with the support of personal and crowd sourced funds. If ever Banky felt fear or lost hope at any point, you could never tell. He truly was living out his purpose.
Finally, and I say this with every sense of respect, I saw a true representation of what we need in our political offices- not in 2023, but right here and now.
And in all of that, Banky really, truly tasted victory. Nigeria took a shortened step into the future. That to me is worthy of celebration.
Olubankole Wellington indeed has done what many merely chatter about- he offered himself to propel the change we all seek. It is why I am so certain that this is neither a complete loss nor the end of the road.
I get the feeling and am inclined to profess that someday I'm gonna say to my little girl and boy, that's Banky, our new president-elect, and precisely in his exact words "if I [he] can get here, then surely you can make it too."
I'll leave you here with all my love and one of my favourite quotes:
"We fight the little battles to give us strength to win wars. So we keep fighting."
-Adesua Etomi-Wellington
Cheers to a lovely weekend!
~A.J.
Comments
Post a Comment