Antonia Agbede-Ally, a social entrepreneur and public servant, is vying for the Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra federal constituency seat. Over the weekend, she acquired her nomination forms to run for the house of representatives, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Her supporters are excited about her plans for “impact-driven representation” in northern Cross River State. With extensive experience in community development, Agbede-Ally aims to bring significant changes to the legislative landscape.
As the founding CEO of the How Foundation, she has spearheaded social impact initiatives for over a decade. In 2025, she also started the Agbede Foundation in Obudu, focusing on vocational training, healthcare, and education for marginalized communities.
Agbede-Ally holds a degree in business management and marketing from Brunel University London. She began her career in sales and marketing before shifting to social development, showcasing her commitment to uplifting her community.
Her candidacy comes amid a surge of aspirants in the APC ahead of the 2027 elections. Recently, social media buzzed when Cubana Chief Priest, a well-known socialite, also announced his intent to run for office in Imo.
In April, the APC unveiled its timeline for the upcoming elections, setting specific costs for nomination and expression of interest forms. For presidential aspirants, the total fees amount to a staggering N100 million, while costs for other positions vary, with house of representatives seats priced at N1 million for expression of interest and N9 million for nomination.
This financial barrier has raised discussions online, with many questioning how these costs impact grassroots candidates compared to wealthier aspirants. According to a recent survey by the Nigerian Political Science Association, about 60% of young voters feel that high fees hinder their candidates from participating in politics.
Agbede-Ally’s dedication to her community and her journey from grassroots activism to a political candidate could inspire a new wave of engagement among potential voters who value authenticity and local impact.
