Popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele has suspended her acting career following her emergence as Deputy Governorship candidate in Lagos State.
The Ikorodu-born producer, popular known as Jenifa, will be contesting under the banner of Peoples Democratic Party together with her principal, Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, the Convener of the Lagos4Lagos Movement.
Confirming her deputy governorship candidacy on Tuesday, the celebrity stated that her acting career must be “necessarily put on hold”.
She said she made the sacrifice to “rescue” the people of the state.
In the video she shared on her Instagram page, Akindele said: “I am not unaware of the cost of this assignment on my vibrant career, which I must now necessarily put on hold.
“It’s a huge personal sacrifice. My resolve is that no sacrifice is too huge for the actualisation of the urgent mission to rescue our people and our dear state”.
The 44-year-old, who is hoping to be the sixth elected female Deputy Governor of the state, is of the same age as Adediran, popularly known as Jandor.
The women who previously served the state as No 2 included Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu (1992 – 93), Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele (1999 – 2003) and Mrs Sarah Sosan (2007 – 11). Others were Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2011 – 15) and Dr Oluranti Adebule (2015 – 19).
On why she accepted the role, Akindele said: “I saw it as an opportunity to help liberate and improve the wellbeing of our people, particularly the deprived youth, women and the girl child.
“My decision is not just to accept this huge responsibility but to also work tirelessly and complement Jandor’s burning desire to see our dear Lagos live up to its full potential”.
