Banky W says 2023 election defeat prompted move into pastoral work in US

Nigerian entertainer and former political candidate Bankole Wellington, known professionally as Banky W, has told reporters that his defeat in the 2023 House of Representatives election prompted him to pursue pastoral work in the United States.

Banky W — who is also a filmmaker and has been active in politics — said the loss left him heartbroken and forced him to reassess his life and purpose. That period of reflection, he said, ultimately led him to begin pastoral ministry while in the US.

He described the process as a change of direction following the election outcome, moving from an explicitly political focus to work framed around ministry and spiritual service. Multiple Nigerian news outlets reported his account on October 9, 2026.

Why it matters

Banky W’s transition highlights a broader pattern of public figures shifting roles after high-profile electoral defeats. His move may interest followers who track the intersection of entertainment, politics and religion in Nigeria, as well as observers noting how personal setbacks shape public careers.

The former candidate’s decision also underscores the transnational nature of contemporary Nigerian public life: Banky W has built a profile that spans entertainment, political engagement at home, and ministry activity abroad. His choice to undertake pastoral work in the United States illustrates how Nigerian personalities can pursue new vocations outside the country following domestic political engagements.

Context

Banky W ran in the 2023 elections for a seat in the House of Representatives and did not win. After the loss, he spoke publicly about being heartbroken and reassessing his priorities, according to the reports. The outlets that covered his statement noted that the experience prompted him to seek a new direction and ultimately led to pastoral work.

The reports did not provide detailed information about the nature of his pastoral duties, the denomination or organisation he is affiliated with in the United States, or whether he intends to return to frontline politics in Nigeria. They also did not specify the timeline of when he began the ministry work beyond indicating it followed the 2023 election loss.

Banky W remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s cultural and political scene because of his entertainment career, film work and previous political ambitions. His account of using a political setback as a catalyst for a vocational shift will likely prompt discussion among his supporters and critics about the role of personal reflection in shaping public lives.

What’s next

The reports do not indicate any immediate plans by Banky W to re-enter Nigerian electoral politics or to launch public programmes related to his pastoral work. Further details about his ministry, its location or activities would need to come from his own future statements or additional reporting.