In a recent interview with ARISE NEWS, Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, the musician and PDP House of Representatives candidate in Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in the 2023 election, raised concerns about election irregularities in his constituency.
Banky W candidly discussed specific issues that marred the electoral process and shared his vision for the future of Eti-Osa ahead of the supplementary election as ordered by the Election Tribunal.
The Quest Times recalls that Thaddeus Attah of the Labour Party was initially declared the winner of the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency for the House of Representatives, defeating Banky W (PDP) and Ibrahim Obanikoro (APC), but a tribunal nullified his victory, ordering a supplementary election in polling units where elections didn’t hold.
In the interview, Banky W pointed out the existence of specific polling units where the elections failed to take place, citing instances of voter oppression, intimidation, violence, and significant challenges with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He noted that INEC either arrived without ballots or, in some cases, didn’t show up at all. These issues, he believed, were some of the primary reasons why elections couldn’t proceed smoothly in certain polling units.
ALSO READ: Obasanjo Reveals Reasons For Surge In Coups In Africa
One staggering revelation was the prevention of nearly 29,000 individuals from exercising their fundamental right to vote, a situation that Banky W vehemently condemned. He stressed the importance of allowing every citizen to participate in the democratic process, irrespective of their preferred candidate or party affiliation.
In his words, “Regardless of who people want to vote for, they should be allowed to participate.”
Despite initially accepting defeat, Banky W’s unwavering commitment to the values of representation in Eti-Osa drove him to seek justice. He believed that it was essential not to turn their backs on the electoral process, considering the numerous constituents who shared his vision for a better Eti-Osa.
Banky W remained optimistic about the forthcoming election, citing analyses that indicated a significant advantage in areas where the previous elections faced challenges. He reaffirmed his dedication to the principles of servant leadership, accountability, transparency, and stewardship, values instilled in him by his parents.
Furthermore, Banky W assured the people of Eti-Osa that, if elected, he would not be an absentee representative who merely made occasional appearances on social media.
He said, “We have a big advantage in the places where the elections didn’t hold, so coming out of the gate, we feel very confident and optimistic that the people will choose us.”
“I am someone who believes in servant leadership, accountability, transparency, and stewardship. These are the things I’ve stood for and the things my parents have instilled in me.”
“I am not the kind of candidate that will win an election and disappear and show up in tweets on social media from time to time, nor do I have an entitlement to the office.”
Instead, he pledged to actively engage with the constituents and ensure that their voices were heard. He acknowledged that his potential success would be attributed to the grace of God and the trust placed in him by the people of Eti-Osa, to whom he promised unwavering dedication and representation.