The Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially unveiled 41-year-old Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, setting the stage for what the Party describes as a formidable ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The announcement, made by Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi on Monday, ends weeks of speculation over who would emerge as Hamzat’s deputy governorship candidate. Party leaders say the choice followed extensive consultations among key stakeholders and was based on competence, leadership ability, grassroots appeal, loyalty to the Party and her track record in public service.
Sonayon-James, a native of Badagry, currently serves as the APC Deputy Woman Leader in Lagos State. Her emergence has been welcomed by supporters across the State, particularly in Badagry, where many see the nomination as recognition of the area’s longstanding contribution to Lagos politics.
According to Ojelabi, Sonayon-James distinguished herself through years of dedicated service within the Party structure and her involvement in community development initiatives. He expressed confidence that the Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket possesses the experience, innovation and leadership capacity required to sustain Lagos State’s growth and development agenda.
Her political journey within the APC spans several years. Before rising to her current position, she served as the Party’s State Assistant Woman Leader and played active roles in grassroots mobilisation, women empowerment programmes and community engagement projects across Lagos. She also previously served as Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry West Local Council Development Area, where she championed initiatives focused on agriculture, youth inclusion, education and social welfare.
Beyond politics, Sonayon-James has built a reputation as a governance and development professional with more than 15 years of experience spanning public policy, sustainability, institutional development, stakeholder engagement, human capital strategy and community development. She has also worked in the private sector and is known for her involvement in business management and logistics.
Her academic credentials include a degree in Business and Human Resources Management from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
Political observers view her nomination as a strategic move by the APC to strengthen female representation in leadership while broadening the Party’s appeal ahead of the 2027 election. Her emergence also adds a significant Badagry voice to the governorship ticket, a factor many analysts believe could further consolidate support for the ruling party in Lagos.
The unveiling comes weeks after Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the incumbent Deputy Governor of Lagos State, secured the APC governorship ticket for the 2027 election. With the deputy governorship slot now filled, attention is expected to shift to campaign strategies and the political permutations that will shape the race for control of Nigeria’s commercial capital.
For the APC, the Hamzat-Sonayon-James combination represents a blend of experience and fresh energy. For Sonayon-James, it marks the biggest political breakthrough of her career and places her on the verge of making history as one of the most prominent female politicians in Lagos State politics.
