By Ghazali Ibrahim 
Box Office Queen, Funke Akindele has declared her unwavering commitment to public service, signaling a dramatic return to the political stage.
Speaking during a candid interview on the WithChude podcast, Akindele broke her long political silence with a firm declaration: “I’m not done yet.”
The former deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who contested alongside Abdulazeez Adediran (Jandor) in the 2023 Lagos elections, explained that her post-election quietness was not retreat, but a time of reflection.
“I need to support. I need to give back. That’s why I went into politics in the first place,” she said, recalling how her passion for grassroots development and community impact motivated her initial foray into politics.
Her 2023 bid, though unsuccessful against incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was notable for its youth-driven energy and her unique ability to connect with everyday Lagosians.
Following the loss, Akindele had wiped political content from her social media, prompting speculation that her political chapter had closed. However, she revealed that the silence was a period of observation, learning, and growth.
“I saw the violence, I heard the shouting, and I started watching women like Abike Dabiri,” she said. “The way they command respect—I said to myself, ‘You too go, you can do it.’”
Now, Akindele says she returns to the political arena not just as a celebrity, but as an informed, motivated Nigerian determined to serve with facts, figures, and purpose.
“Fear will only put you in a place,” she remarked. “But what will be, will be. Now, I speak with data and statistics. I’m reading more. I know more about my state and my country.”
“Politics has helped me grow intellectually. It has deepened my love for service. And yes, I’m going to do it again,” she confirmed.
