In a political landscape often defined by familiar faces, the entrance of actress-filmmaker Chioma "IfeDike" Ifemelulike as the African Action Congress (AAC) gubernatorial candidate offers a narrative of grassroots ambition and populist appeal. Here are seven key points to know about her journey from the screen to the ballot.
- Unlike many non-politician entrants, Ifemeludike holds an academic foundation in politics, having studied Political Science at Anambra State University, which she couples with her tenure as the AAC's State Chairperson.
- With over ten years in the industry, she is known for producing Igbo-language films and a popular YouTube series, ‘Corpers Heaven’, inspired by her own NYSC experience, showcasing a deep connection with everyday Nigerian experiences.
- She dismisses claims of inexperience, citing her work at the party's grassroots level, where she witnessed "the level of hardship and poverty" firsthand, which she says motivated her to accept the gubernatorial nomination.
- Her core campaign promises are tangibly social: introducing solar power initiatives, subsidising school fees, providing educational loans, and reinforcing the state security apparatus to protect residents.
- Ifemeludike is no stranger to the public eye, most notably for a 2021 viral confession where she alleged an intimate relationship with clergyman Johnson Suleman, a claim that placed her at the centre of a national media storm.
- Raised by a single mother after losing her father at a young age, her profile is one of tenacity, a narrative she channels into her "passion about the people."
- Her candidacy challenges the conventional political playbook, representing a fusion of populist appeal, direct grassroots experience, and a promise to bring a fresh, interventionist perspective to Anambra's governance.
Sources: The Cable
