I had Banky W’s song Strong Ting on auto-repeat on my music playlist while I was in the world. Be that as it may, that’s by the way!> “…But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” — 1 Samuel 30:6
Nigerian singer and filmmaker Bankole Wellington, better known as Banky W, reflected on this aspect of 1 Samuel 30:6 after losing his bid for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives during the 2023 general election. Like David, who found courage in the Lord when he was distressed and threatened, Banky found clarity amid the confusion and melancholy.
We will return to this moment shortly, but not before addressing the elephant in the room. That would be the taunts from critics and cynics asking, “Who send am go run for election?” or something along the lines of, “Couldn’t he have seen that the odds were stacked against him?” If his instincts couldn’t tell him, what about his spiritual discernment as a man of God? Others in the comment section have also questioned why he is giving up so easily instead of trying his luck again or seeking to win the favour of the prevailing political establishment.
Politicians, particularly those of Nigerian stock, tend to be Pollyannaish in nature. In fact, it would seem that a major qualification for becoming a politician in Nigeria is an inflated sense of self-worth or extreme optimism. They hardly give up on their ambitions. Banky W’s decision not to appear on the ballot in this round of elections affirms his epiphany or Road to Damascus experience.
In a post on his Instagram page this Thursday, @bankywellington wrote, “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. When the dust settled, I took those pieces back to God. And I surrendered.”
We commend him for turning to God, as David did when he seemingly lost everything. How great is the Lord to have successfully mended a heart shattered into a million fragments! This is why, when life’s storms arise, people should run to Him rather than away from Him. Perhaps those jostling for political positions in Nigeria’s 2027 elections will learn from Banky’s testimony how to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when the chips are down.
It is human nature for many people to quarrel with God when things do not work out as planned. Such individuals should heed the admonition of Job, who endured trials and emerged triumphant, by acquainting themselves with God and making peace with Him so that good may come to them (Job 22:21). If only the aggrieved had a sense of the bigger picture, they would see that the good Lord has not called the seed of Jacob to seek Him in vain. Even when you have acted out of spite or made decisions of your own volition, the loving Father’s penchant for turning a mess into a message enables Him to bestow upon you “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3).
Banky W is certainly better off now than he might have been had he secured political office. That is probably why he will not be participating in the 2027 elections. This is not about his work as a teacher and leader at Union College in the United States, but rather about what his koinonia with the Holy Spirit could bring forth.
We congratulate the music label executive, who significantly propelled the career of Grammy-winning Wizkid as the head of EME, for being able to hear clearly from the Lord and align himself with the Almighty’s will for his life. Hear him again: “One year later, I’m reminded that sometimes what feels like the end of your story is really just God turning the page. 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.”
We can now see that all things work together for the good of those who love God and have been called according to His purpose. Had Banky not lost at the polls, he might not have gained a deeper and more beneficial understanding of God. This brings us back to the question of whether he received Heaven’s green light before initially throwing his hat into the ring. His political experience could also have been God’s way of helping the prodigiously talented celebrity fulfil his destiny.
Notice that, while acknowledging God’s expansion of his assignments, politics was not mentioned. As it were, not even the letter “P” in his P.Banks moniker was cited as representing “politician.” “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.
It pays greatly to know and follow God’s will for one’s life.
An awareness of God’s presence in your corner should prevent you from turning life’s curveballs into own goals. However, this requires submitting your will to His in every matter. The word “surrendered,” as used by the former secular singer, captures precisely what is needed. Many people have missed their purpose in life and destiny because they were unwilling to yield. We deliberately use the word “unwilling” because some people are eager to be led but do not know how.
Come to think of it, why would anyone not desire to be led by the Lord? The fact that politicians are no longer making a singsong of “follow who know road” during this electioneering season does not mean that this street wisdom has lost its relevance. How much more valuable is the privilege of following the Road Himself (no pun intended; see John 14:6).
King David knew exactly what he was talking about when he declared in Psalm 23, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The verses that follow outline other amazing benefits of having God as one’s shepherd. God remains a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Graciously, He is not difficult to find. Passages in both the Old and New Testaments affirm this truth.
Jeremiah 29:13 states, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Matthew 7:7 declares, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” In reality, He is the One who is already reaching out to us. This is why He says in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Nonetheless, without dwelling on the semantic similarities between seeking and following God, the Good News is that both spiritual endeavours are guided by the same manual: the Bible. We seek to know God by studying and meditating on His Word. Certainly, there are sons of God who can hear Him directly and clearly, but they all started somewhere—with a hunger for the Word of God. You have to begin with the known before proceeding to the unknown. Above all, be sure not to dissent as you discern!
VIS Ugochukwu is a sage, storyteller, and branding specialist who welcomes feedback at nmiringwu@gmail.com.