PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
By David Adebayo
Fresh facts have emerged as to why the Deputy Governorship ambition of famous actress and producer, Funke Akindele, did not receive the nod of many of her colleagues in the entertainment industry, especially in movie circles in Lagos State.
Funke had been picked as running mate to the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Abdul-Azeez Adeniran, otherwise known as Jandor singlehandedly by him, a decision which didn’t appear to have appealed to the power blocs of the party in the state.
Per Seconds News reliably gathered that the emergence of Funke as Jandor’s running mate came as a shock to many of her colleagues who saw the news as a ‘mere joke’ and another publicity stunt for the actress’ new movie at that time.
Jandor had emerged as governorship candidate against the wish of the top shots of PDP in tne state led by Chief Bode George, whose bloc had lost the total control of the party to the faction suspected to be loyal to its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Information obtained by Persecondnews.com also revealed that Funke was said to have ignored some of her popular friends in the entertainment industry and didn’t carry them along about her ambition.
She was said to have angered a number of them who felt the mother of two was feeling too big to approach them and intimate them with her ambition.
Many of them claimed they heard about Funke’s nomination on social media platforms.
A source privy to happenings within the camp of the actress informed Per Seconds News that the actress as of the time she was nominated was not certain she would accept to Jandor’s running mate because she was enmeshed in a series of personal issues ranging from a troubled marriage to soiled relationship with some of her family members.
She and her ex husband, JJC had welcomed a set of twins prior to the beginning of the crisis that rocked and utilmately ended their six years marriage with both parties keeping mute about the crux of the matter.
The Tinubu and Obi factors
Per Seconds News gathered that some members of the Tinubu’s campaign team reached out to the actress not to accept the nomination from PDP as Jandor’s running mate as this could affect her corporate interest in the state and beyond.
The actress allegedly snubbed the plea as she forged ahead with her decision and told those who should know that she would give it her best shot.
It was also observed that some actors and actress who are said to be friends with Funke couldn’t associate with her choice of political party because a vast majority of them had pledged their loyalty to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu who had set up committees headed by some of Funke’s associates and friends in the movie industry.
Others who could also throw their weight behind her had pitched their tent with Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) led by the Psquare brothers who galvanised huge support for their principal in Lagos and other states.
As soon as it became clear that Funke would not enjoy the support of her colleagues, she shot them out of her campaigns and marched on.
She swung into action, saying her acting career must be “necessarily put on hold”.
Speaking on her reason for accepting 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.”
Funke, Eniola’s clash of interests
The face-off between Funke and bestie, Eniola Badmus was another battle that seemed to have nailed Funke’s ambition.
Her long time bestie, Badmus, had fallen off with her months to the the commencement of the political campaigns as observers wondered what could have happened to their once rosy relationship.
But feelers gathered by Per Seconds News revealed that Badmus, who rooted for Tinubu as President was not comfortable with certain attitude of Funke and approached her about it but she was said to have ignored the warnings.
They fight soon became a public matter after Funke decided to not to celebrate Badmus on her social media platforms when she marked her birthday.
They claimed that they were both fine and tried to make peace but the relationship went from bad to worse as they have since went on their separate ways.
A famous actress who didn’t want her name mentioned, spoke to Per Seconds News about why she didn’t support Funke, who is believed to be her friend.
She confirmed that while Funke remains her friend, she should also realise that no one is bigger than anyone.
“If you observe closely, nobody was willing to campaign for her because she has not been supporting her colleagues who could rise and lead her team. Everybody stayed away.
“I hope she now understands what it means to have a smooth relationship with your people,” she said.
With a few days to election, Funke and Jandor are reaching out to the Lagos people through their door-to-door campaign and people believed they have “done well.”
Leave a comment