- Safiu Kehinde
Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, has expressed her desire to venture into politics again if given another opportunity.
Akindele made this known while speaking on the live talk show of Nigerian filmmaker and TV host, Chude Jideonwo, on Thursday.
Recall that the actress had emerged as the running mate of the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Lagos governorship candidate, Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor.
The duo, however, lost the election to the incumbent governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Reflecting on her lesson learnt from politics, Akindele disclosed that she ventured into it in an effort to support and give back to the society.
She also disclosed deriving inspiration from several female politicians- including the CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, emulating the courage, boldness, and fearlessness
“I need to support; I need to give back. That is why I went to politics.
“Getting into it, seeing the violence and shouting, then I started watching female politicians. You know, the way they speak- Mummy Abike Dabiri and co.
“The way the command respect and authority, so I was like yes, you too go. You can do it. And I stood and spoke.
“I learnt that from them that you have to be bold. You have to be courageous and strong. What will be will be. Fear will only put you in a place. All these, I learnt from politics.” She said.
The Nollywood actress further recounted how she acquired more knowledge by reading more about Nigeria and Lagos state while affirming that she will love to engage in politics again.
“I got to know a lot of numbers. I got educated more. I acquired more knowledge about my country, knowing more about my state.
“When I want to speak, I speak with statistics and data. So, I am glad I went to politics. And ask me am I going to do it again, oh yes!” She said.
However, she also recounted her challenges which included backlash and insult during the election campaign.
She disclosed how she had broken down in tears after watching one of the campaign video where a group of women mocked her for not having a husband.
These forced her to go for therapy session which she claimed made her feel better.
“Right from the scratch, I know its importance, but I have never submitted myself into it. I will be like I don’t want anybody to hear about me.
“They will go and carry the gist. But I was dying in silence. I was acting strong. Everytime I’m strong, the throw a lot at me at home, work, family.
“When Mum passed on, my everything and prayer partner, the politics, the backlash, and insult. You know, there was one video I watched then, they were mocking me that I don’t have husband.
“Some women were dancing that I don’t have husband and I want to do politics. I broke down and cried.
“Then I just told myself you need to speak to someone about this. You can’t just continue like this. You need to speak. And I reach out and started speaking and I felt better.
“Things I couldn’t tell people out there, I spoke with my therapist and I’m better. So I want advice everyone out there that it is very important for you to speak up.” Akindele added.
See video below.