Nigerian actress-turned-politician Funke Akindele has shared her intentions to re-enter the political arena after a previous unsuccessful campaign.
In 2023, Akindele served as the running mate to Abdulazeez Adediran, the Lagos State governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They were defeated by Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Following this loss, Akindele removed all politically related posts from her social media accounts.
However, during a recent interview on the inaugural live edition of the ‘WithChude’ podcast, Akindele, who had been quiet on political issues since 2023, announced her plans to run for office again.
She expressed, “I feel a strong need to support others and give back to my community, which is why I entered politics. Initially, I was taken aback by the violence and chaos, but then I began to observe female politicians like Mummy Abike Dabiri. I admired how they spoke with confidence and commanded respect. It inspired me to believe that I could do it too.
As I began to speak out, I learned the importance of being bold, courageous, and resilient. I realized that fear can hold you back. Through my political journey, I gained valuable insights and knowledge, particularly about numbers and statistics. I’ve become more educated and informed about my country and my state. Now, when I speak, I back my words with data. I’m truly grateful for my experience in politics, and if you ask me whether I would do it again, my answer is a resounding yes.”