Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele has said that her foray into politics made her more courageous, enlightened, and better informed about governance in Nigeria.
Speaking at the recent #WithChude Live session hosted by media entrepreneur, Chude Jideonwo, Akindele reflected on her experience as the deputy governorship candidate for Lagos State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections.
She ran alongside Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, but lost to the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I needed to support others. I needed to give back, that was why I went into politics,” she said.
“Getting into it, seeing the violence, hearing the shouting, then I started watching female politicians, the way they speak and command respect and authority. And I said to myself, ‘Hey, you can do it.’
Akindele noted that the experience taught her vital personal and leadership lessons, pushing her out of her comfort zone.
“I stood, I spoke. I learnt that you have to be bold, courageous, and strong. What will be, will be. Fear will only keep you stuck,” she said.
She also revealed how her involvement in politics sparked a greater interest in civic education and public policy.
“I started reading more, learning more about my country and my state. When I want to speak now, I speak with statistics, with data. So yes, I’m glad I went into politics. And if you ask me whether I’ll do it again? Oh yes!” she added.
Beyond politics, Akindele used the platform to advocate for mental health awareness, opening up about her own emotional struggles, grief, and the pressure of public life.
“Right from the start, I’ve always known therapy is important, but I never submitted myself to it. I’d be scared people would hear and spread the gist. But I was dying in silence while acting strong,” she confessed.
She described how personal losses and public backlash affected her deeply, particularly after her mother’s death and the trolling she received following the elections.
“When Mum passed on my everything, my prayer partner the politics, the backlash, the insults… I watched a video where women were mocking me, saying I didn’t have a husband. I broke down. I cried and cried. Then I told myself, ‘You need to speak to someone. You can’t continue like this,’” she recalled.
Eventually, she sought professional help. “Things I couldn’t tell others, I told my therapist. And now I feel better. So I want to advise everyone out there: it’s very important to speak up. Yes.”
She also addressed the pain of being falsely accused of neglecting her late Jenifa’s Diary co-star, Adejumoke Aderounmu, who reportedly battled depression before her death in 2024.
“People called me out, saying, ‘She was in Jenifa, why are you acting like you care now?’ I was already depressed myself. I was bottling so much in,” she said.
“To cope, I went into a room, locked the door, and did a live video — just to speak out. Some people lock the door and end their lives. I thank God I locked the door and went live instead.”
Reflecting on those experiences, she concluded, “There’s no such thing as a strong person. You need to speak up.”
