Encomium
BEAUTIFUL actress cum film maker, Funke Adesiyan, who contested in the 2015 state assembly election in Oyo State, on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated the real reason she staged a lavish party despite losing the election. She also debunked the rumour of any plan to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Ibadan, Oyo born entertainer cum politician opened up on these and few other issues when ENCOMIUM Weekly cornered her at an event in Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday, August 16, 2015.
You are among the entertainers who veered into politics, and not only that, you also contested Oyo House of Assembly seat in the 2015 general elections. How would you describe the experience?
Alhamudullilah! It’s a worthy experience. Very wonderful one. It’s an experience I am still happy with. I had fun and met so many people. It’s a worthy course. I didn’t lose the election and I didn’t win either. I came out a winner because I came out a very big person. I thank God I was also able to touch people’s lives.
Despite the fact that you lost the election, you still threw a lavish party after, what informed that?
I threw a party to thank Almighty God and my people. I went into the election, I didn’t lose any of my supporters. I thank God for that. I came out with everybody I went with. I even gained more people. Besides, God says we should thank Him in every circumstance. So, the party I staged was purposely to say a big thank you to Almighty God for being with me all through the period and even after. I invited a lot of people, including clerics who prayed that day and those that also came and rejoiced with me. We all had fun. It’s a worthy one, glory be to God.
What would you say was the reason you lost out in the election?
I didn’t go into the election to win. I went to learn and grow. And for me getting as far as I went being a first timer, it’s even a very wonderful one. I think I should even be commended on that.
Some people said you lost out because you didn’t have correct sponsors and political godfather, what’s your reaction to that?
That’s not the issue. To me, there is no godfather anywhere. God is the Ultimate Father we all need, and I have Him. He has always been there for me and He will always be there forever. Whoever has a man somewhere and looks up to him as a godfather has derailed from the beginning.
Some also were of the opinion that you lost because you belong to the wrong party…
(Cuts in) I don’t belong to the wrong party, my party is a national party. And we’re the biggest party in Nigeria till today. So, what a right party could be more than that.
But we learnt you’re planning to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), what’s your comment on that?
That’s not true. I was a PDP member when I contested and I am still in the party till date. I have no plan of going anywhere anytime soon. PDP is my party and I am proud of it.
Would you re-contest in the next general elections?
Why not? I will definitely do if my people give me the opportunity. I will do it over and over again.
Are you still going to vie for the same seat?
Let’s pray that God would see us through.
Has been in politics affected your career as an actress?
Politics and entertainment go hand in hand. So, being in politics couldn’t have affected my acting career. In fact, if anything, it has only helped me push myself further. You don’t know how far you can get if you don’t push yourself. I never left acting. I just took time out to discover my other sides.
– TADE ASIFAT
