Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has shared her experience since joining Nigerian politics, describing it as a life-changing journey that enhanced her understanding of leadership, governance, and national development.
Speaking during the #WithChude Live talk show hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, Akindele opened up about why she chose to go into politics and the valuables lessons she has gained from the process.
“I need to support others, I need to give back. That is why I went to politics,” she said. “Getting into it, seeing the violence, seeing the shouting, then I started watching female politicians, you know, the way they speak, and the way they command respect and authority. And I’m like, hey, you are not alone, you can do it.”
Akindele, who ran for deputy governor of Lagos State in the 2023 general elections as a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), described politics as a challenging yet educational experience.
She claims that it taught her the value of knowledge, courage, and confidence.
“I stood, I spoke, I learnt 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,” she said.
Reflecting further, the award-winning actress said the political experience spurred her desire to read more, understand data, and engage in national discourse with facts.
“So all this I learnt from doing politics. And I got to know a lot of numbers, I got educated more, acquire 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. So I am glad I went to politics. And ask me, am I going to do it again? Oh, yes!” she affirmed.
