Funke Akindele Declares Intent to Run Again After 2023 Election Loss
Nollywood star and former deputy governorship candidate Funke Akindele has announced her intention to return to the political arena, more than a year after her first attempt at public office ended in defeat.
Akindele, who ran as the running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate Abdulazeez Adediran in the 2023 Lagos State election, confirmed her renewed political ambition during a recent interview on the live edition of the With Chude podcast.
Despite losing to the incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akindele said her experience in politics has only strengthened her resolve to serve. “Oh yes, I’m going to do it again,” she declared confidently during the interview, her first public statement on politics since the election.
Reflecting on her 2023 campaign, Akindele spoke candidly about the challenges she faced, including the intensity of political violence and public scrutiny. “Getting into it, seeing violence and shouting… I started watching female politicians like Mummy Abike Dabiri. The way they speak and command respect inspired me,” she said.
She also credited her time in politics with expanding her knowledge of governance and civic issues. “I got educated more. I’m reading more and learning about my country and my state. When I speak now, I speak with statistics and data,” she explained.
Following the 2023 election, Akindele had wiped her social media pages of political content, remaining largely silent on the topic – until now.
The actress-turned-politician emphasized that her motivation remains rooted in public service. “I need to support. I need to give back. That’s why I went into politics,” she said.
Her announcement signals a possible re-entry into the political scene as Lagos and Nigeria prepare for future elections, reigniting public interest in her political journey.
