Olubankole Wellington, a Nigerian entertainer professionally known as Banky W, on Saturday announced his intention to run for office.
The actor, singer, writer and filmmaker says he will run for a seat in the federal house of representatives to represent Eti-Osa local government area, Lagos.
He made the declaration during the debut convention of the Modern Democratic Party (MDP), a political party founded in 2017 by youth associations.
Wellington, 37, said “the time has come for us to play our part. We can no longer afford to remain mere spectators”.
The entertainer said although many have advised him to run for president, “I believe in starting small, and working your way up”.
He added: “Our generation needs a realistic rallying point. We need to begin in community, earn our way into the system and up the ladder.
“We need someone to stick their neck out and pave the way. The problem is that we’ve always looked to our leaders for change… instead, look in the mirror and look around you. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for all along.
“I have shared this vision with quite a few people. Some have been incredibly supportive, but some have advised against it. I am under no illusions that this run will be easy.
“Considering who we are going up against, this is almost impossible. They said we don’t have the money to run. We say 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.”
Jumoke Adenowo, founder of AD Consulting & Awesome Treasures Foundation, Poju Oyemade, senior pastor of Covenant Christian Centre, MI Abaga, CEO of Chocolate City, Maryam Laushi, national publicity secretary of MDP and Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, chairman of the MDP, were some of those present at the declaration event.
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