The end of a relationship or marriage is not always a pleasant experience. For some people who have had such experiences, it also had negative impacts on their careers. Two top Nigerian actresses, Funke Akindele and Tonto Dikeh, have both had marital crises. However, they did not let it deter them; rather, they have continued to forge ahead in their careers. They have even added politics to the list of things they have in common.
Akindele is the deputy governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Lagos State, while Dikeh is the deputy governorship candidate of the African Democratic Party in Rivers State. The PUNCH reports lives and careers of both actresses.
Tonto Dikeh
Indeed, this popular actress has had her fair share of challenges.
Recall that she got married to Olakunle Churchill in August 2015. The early stage of the marriage was seemingly filled with so much love and romance that the couple seemed unable to take their hands off each other, especially in public.
However, to the surprise of many, the union hit the rocks. The relationship started unravelling with domestic violence allegations from both partners. At one point, things degenerated so badly that Tonto’s family allegedly returned the bride price paid by Churchill.
In 2021, Tonto Dikeh found love again, to the excitement of her fans. Then, it was with a politician and the chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, Joseph Egbri, aka Prince Kpokpogri. But just like her marriage, the relationship which she flaunted on social media crashed like an aeroplane that experienced wild turbulence. Kpokpogri was alleged to have cheated on Tonto Dikeh. The break-up got so messy that both parties severally took each other to the cleaners. At the height of it, Tonto Dikeh stormed Kpokpogri’s abode to retrieve a Hilux vehicle she bought him as a birthday gift when the going was good between them.
But, for those who thought the actress was down and out, they were obviously wrong.
It came as a pleasant surprise to many of her fans when, in June 2022, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State, Tonte Ibraye, announced her as his deputy governor candidate.
Expressing delight at the new ‘assignment’, Tonto wrote on social media, “We are looking forward to investing massively in social protection, creating a social value system for young people, increasing the inclusion of women in government, supporting small businesses, and strengthening our traditional institutions to be active players in bringing sustainable development to the good people of Rivers State.”
Funke Akindele
Popular actress and filmmaker also had a short-lived marriage with a Lagos State-based politician and incumbent Chairman of the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’. They got married on May 26, 2012 but after one year and 46 days, they announced on July 15, 2013, that they were going their separate ways.
However, in May 2016, she was hit by Cupid’s arrow yet again, and she again found love in the arms of hitherto United Kingdom-based singer, music producer and filmmaker Abdulrasheed Bello, aka JJC.
Over the years, the couple won over a lot of fans with the way they always seemed to glow happily when in each other’s company.
For most of their marriage, they did not have scandals and controversies (at least none that were in the public space), until some months ago when JJC’s teenage son, Benito, alleged that the union was not as ‘perfect’ as it seemed. In addition to several other unverified claims, Benito added that both husband and wife were cheating on each other.
Meanwhile, on June 30 2022, JJC took to his social media to state that he had separated from the actress.
However, rather than get weighed down by the demise of her marital union, Akindele is embarking on one of the most important ‘assignments’ of her life, as she will be campaigning alongside Jendor to become leaders of Lagos, which is the country’s commercial nerve centre.
In a speech after being announced as the PDP deputy governor candidate, Akindele said, “Jandor has sacrificed a lot, talking about young people passionately for over seven years. He also abandoned his business to make a change in the state. So, I am going to put aside my career now. I am coming out for the women and the youth. We have talents in Nigeria, which need to be nurtured.”
