Nollywood actress cum politician, Tonto Dikeh is all set for the 2023 gubernatorial elections scheduled to take place on 11th March.
Taking to her Instagram page, the mother of one who is the Deputy governorship candidate in Rivers State under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) shared a picture of herself with her bags packed as she revealed that the date for the gubernatorial elections is what is on her mind alongside a leadership mindset.
She wrote: “Movement… March 11th on my mind. Leadership mindset…”
Kemi Filani recalls that Tonto Dikeh was nominated as the deputy governorship candidate of Rivers State under the African Democratic Congress.
Tonte Ibraye, governorship candidate of ADC made the announcement on his Instagram page on Friday, 24th June, 2022.
The announcement reads: “After series of consultations with leaders of our party the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State and the national level, I’m glad to announce Amb. Tonto Dikeh ( tontolet )as my running mate for the 2023 gubernatorial election in Rivers State,” he wrote.
“We are pleased to welcome her to the #RiversRescueMission2023 as we strive to improve the standard of living for everyone in our dear Rivers State. Please join our press conference at 11 am today. #TonteTonto2023.”
Tonto Dikeh defends deputy governorship position
Following her acceptance to be the running mate of Tonte Ibraye, many took to social media to criticise the actress as many alleged that she will be a bad leader after she bragged about never failing in a leadership position. Others noted that she is too controversial.
Defending herself in an interview session on Channels Television, Tonto Dikeh spoke highly of her political career.
Tonto Dikeh affirmed that she has never failed in a relationship and as such, she believes she can succeed as Deputy Governor. She also said she deserves the prestigious position because she has paid her dues.
“I have been tested critically in leadership through my organization Tonto Dikeh foundation and secondly through, an existing organisation, which is a community of youths in Mobilization and Sensitization which works through directly to the government to the youths. I have paid my dues when it comes to social activities”.
Speaking on her controversial title, King, Tonto said: “I know and that is something I have never been able to explain to a lot of people but I think now I have to because I have to take it out for my campaign name and initiative because I don’t want the traditional rulers to think me ahead of them. My ‘King’ comes as a result of my name, as a name gotten from my son. It is not a title in any way or form”.
Speaking of criticisms, she said: “I am prepared for anything, truthfully. I have had three years to work on this, its not something that I just came out or emerged with. We’ve had a lot of time to work on this and for this. Criticism, I am ready, non-criticism I am ready. So, it doesn’t matter where the questions are coming from.
“I have failed in my life and I’m not denying that. Everyone has seen that. But am I going to fail with leadership. Have I failed in leadership? Start from motherhood, have I ever failed in motherhood, talk about my foundation. I think it was one of the foundations that stood up for this country, in the time of the pandemic, with no assistance whatsoever. I did even more than the government”.
