By John Ogunsemore
Nollywood actor and producer, Yul Edochie has said he was threatened with death for daring to run for the 2017 gubernatorial election in Anambra State aged 35 years.
Edochie disclosed this in a Facebook post on Friday.
His revelation comes as the nation mourns Hon. Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly whose decomposing body was recently found on the Second Niger Bridge.
Azuka, who was abducted on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunabankpa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha, represented Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the state assembly.
Edochie, who is from Anambra North senatorial district, ran for the governorship election in the state on the Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC) platform.
He secured 145 votes, one of the lowest in the election.
Edochie narrated how he was discouraged from running by people who threatened to kill him but he remained undeterred.
He said, “In 2017, I made history. At the young age of 35, I contested for Governor of Anambra State. From start to finish.
“I became the first and only Nollywood actor who has done it in the history of Nollywood.
“During the campaign, people said they would kill me, I told them they have no idea who I am, nobody can kill me, if you ever plan it, you’ll sleep and never wake up, you will not live to execute it.
“They told me I’m too young to run. I asked them, ‘How old were Ojukwu and Gowon when they fought the civil war?’ They were not up to 35 years.
“They said I should step down. I told them it’s impossible. I NEVER START WHAT I CAN NOT FINISH.
“I said to them, if I win, I’ll become Governor, if I lose I’ll gain experience and run again.
“I ran the race till the end and voted for myself proudly. And I’ll come again.”