Funke Akindele reveals plan to return to politics despite 2023 election loss
Actress and box office queen Funke Akindele has revealed plans to return to politics, despite losing her first attempt in the 2023 Lagos governorship election.
Funke made this known during the inaugural live edition of the WithChude podcast hosted by Chude Jideonwo, where she spoke candidly about her political journey and future ambitions.
“I am glad I went into politics. And ask me, am I going to do it again? Oh, yes. Oh, I love it,” the A Tribe Called Judah star declared.
Funke contested the 2023 governorship election in Lagos State as the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The election was won by the All Progressives Congress (APC), with incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu returning to office.
Speaking on why she joined politics, Funke said she was motivated by a desire to make a difference and give back to society.
“I need to support, I need to give back, that is why I went into politics,” she said, adding that the experience was an eye-opener.
“Getting into it, seeing the violence, seeing the shouting. Then I started watching female politicians, you know, the way they speak. The way they speak. and the way they command respect, authority.
“And I’m like, hey, you are not alone. You can do it. And I stood, I spoke. I learned that from there, that you have to be bold. You have to be courageous. You have to be strong. What will be will be. Fear will only put you in a place.”
The Omo Ghetto: The Saga actress also reflected on the knowledge and growth she gained through her political participation.
“So, all this I learned from doing politics. And I got to know a lot of numbers. I got educated more, acquired more knowledge. You know, I’m reading more now, knowing more about my country, knowing more about my state.
“When I want to speak, I’ll speak with the statistics, you understand, with the data.”
Following her defeat in 2023, Funke deleted all political content from her verified Instagram page, sparking speculation that she had shelved her political ambitions.
