Funke Akindele Hints at Future Political Ambitions After 2023 Campaign

 Nollywood star Funke Akindele, known for her record-breaking film “A Tribe Called Judah,” has signaled interest in re-entering politics, though no formal announcement of a 2025 return has been made.

Speaking at a Lagos creative industry event on April 28, 2025, Akindele reflected on her 2023 run as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate, expressing a desire to “inspire change” through public service in the future, per industry sources. Her comments follow her unsuccessful bid alongside PDP’s Olajide Adediran, losing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akindele’s 2023 campaign leveraged her fame, with 12 million Instagram followers and a law degree from the University of Lagos, to connect with grassroots voters. The PDP ticket, however, secured only 10% of votes, with critics citing her lack of political experience. Her conviction for violating COVID-19 lockdown rules in 2020, later pardoned by Sanwo-Olu, was used by opponents to question her credibility. Akindele’s recent statements emphasize youth empowerment and infrastructure, aligning with Lagos’ 22 million residents’ demands for better transport and power.

The actress’s potential comeback faces a formidable APC structure, controlling Lagos since 1999. Her 2023 campaign promised free education and healthcare, but voter apathy, with 30% turnout, limited impact. Political analyst Chidi Amuta suggests Akindele could target a legislative seat in 2027, leveraging her Ikorodu roots. Her philanthropy, including N50 million donated to Lagos flood victims in 2024, bolsters her public image, per local reports. Sanwo-Olu’s January 2024 praise for her film’s N1 billion box office haul indicates a thawed relationship.

Nigeria’s political landscape, with 70% youth voters, favors charismatic figures, but PDP’s internal crises weaken its 2027 prospects. Akindele’s team has not confirmed a timeline, focusing instead on her upcoming film, set for December 2025 release, per Nollywood sources. Her political hints signal a long-term strategy, but analysts warn she must build a stronger grassroots network to challenge Lagos’ entrenched powers, a task requiring years of sustained engagement.