By Juliet Ebirim

As political conversations begin to gather pace ahead of the 2027 elections, a new generation of aspirants is emerging across Nigeria, including women attempting to build identities beyond the influence of prominent family names.

One of them is Antonia Agbede-Ally, daughter of the late Brigadier Godwin Ally, whose legacy remains closely associated with military history in Cross River State and the naming of the Ogoja Cantonment. Young, driven, and deeply rooted in service, the Nigerian social entrepreneur and humanitarian is fast becoming a force in her own right. While her father’s legacy looms large; immortalized in the naming of Ogoja Cantonment; Antonia is carving a path defined not by rank or regiment, but by impact, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of change.

The social entrepreneur recently obtained nomination forms to contest for the Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Before stepping into politics, Ally spent about a decade working in the non-profit sector. She served as the founding Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The HOW Foundation, where she oversaw initiatives focused on social impact and community support.

In late 2025, she also launched the Agbede Foundation in Obudu, her hometown in Cross River State. The initiative focuses on vocational training, access to healthcare, and educational support at the grassroots level.

Ally is passionate about issues such as healthcare access, youth empowerment, sustainable development, and greater inclusion of women in leadership.