As political realignments and grassroots consultations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, a pro-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu support group, the City Boy Movement, has strengthened its women mobilisation structure in Cross River State with the appointment of a new State Women Leader.

The group has named former Miss Heritage Africa, Queen Benedicta Akpana Ogbang, to coordinate its women-focused political activities in the state, signalling what observers describe as early groundwork for 2027.

In a letter dated February 24, 2026, and signed by the Director General of the Movement, Hon. Shoga Francis-Oluwatosin, the appointment was described as a strategic move to deepen grassroots engagement among women across the state.

The letter noted that Akpana’s selection was in recognition of her record in community leadership and women mobilisation. She previously served as Executive Protocol Officer to the immediate past governor of Cross River State.

According to the Movement, her responsibilities will include coordinating women’s structures at state, local government and ward levels, driving civic participation and political education initiatives, and implementing directives from the national leadership of the group.

The development comes as support groups affiliated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) begin early consultations and structural expansion across states in preparation for the next electoral cycle.

Reacting to her appointment, Akpana described the role as a call to greater service, noting that her advocacy for increased women participation in politics did not end with her pageantry career.

She pledged to work with stakeholders across Cross River to galvanize support among women for President Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu, as well as other APC candidates in 2027.

Political analysts say the renewed focus on women mobilisation reflects growing recognition of women as a decisive voting bloc in Nigeria’s electoral politics, particularly at the subnational level.