News Update
Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress, APC, 2027 governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, has said he has never met or talked to his running mate, Damilola Sonayon-James, before the party chose her for the role.
Hamzat shared this revelation during the public showing of “Who Is She?” At the Syrian Club Event Centre in Ikoyi area of the state.
He said that the choice of his deputy governorship candidate was made after discussions within the Lagos APC, following President Bola Tinubu’s request for the state chapter to select the candidate.
Hazmat said he suggested that the running mate should be a young woman, and the President agreed with that idea.
According to Hamzat, the president called and suggested that the matter be resolved.
He said: “The president called me and said, ‘You guys go and sort it out.’ I said, ‘Sir, I think it should be a female.’ He said, ‘It’s okay.’ I said, ‘It should be young.’ He said, ‘It’s okay.”
The APC governorship candidate said the party also took into account the state’s zoning plan when making their decision.
He said since he hails from Lagos East and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is from Lagos Central, people expected the deputy governor position to go to Lagos West.
Hamzat said he didn’t have a personal connection with Sonayon-James before she became the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
“Until Damilola was chosen, I didn’t know her phone number. I got her phone number from somebody,” he said.
He said that Sonayon-James, who is the deputy woman leader of the Lagos APC and comes from Badagry, was picked based on her abilities.
Early Political Journey of Damilola Sonayon-James
Before her nomination, Sonayon-James served as the Deputy Women Leader of the APC in Lagos State, where she became known for grassroots mobilisation and strengthening the party’s support base across communities.
Her political career began in Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), where she served as Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Social Services.
During her tenure, she was actively involved in community development initiatives, youth empowerment programmes, agricultural support, educational interventions, women’s empowerment and social welfare projects.
Although she previously contested for the chairmanship of Badagry West LCDA without success, she remained active within the APC and continued contributing to local governance and party administration.
Royal Heritage
Beyond politics, Sonayon-James comes from a respected royal lineage in Badagry.
She is a princess of the Kweme Kingdom and granddaughter of the late Oba Afolabi James, giving her deep cultural and traditional roots within the Badagry division.
Her nomination is also politically significant as she could become the first indigene of Badagry to serve as Deputy Governor of Lagos State if the APC wins the 2027 governorship election.
Educational Background
Sonayon-James combines political experience with strong academic credentials.
She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Hull, United Kingdom.
She later earned a Master’s degree in Social Work, specialising in Community Development, from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
Her educational background reflects an interest in governance, business administration, community development and social impact.
Professional Career
Outside politics, Sonayon-James has built a career in sustainability, governance and corporate risk management.
She previously worked with the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) before transitioning into the private sector.
She later became Head of Sustainability Risk and Strategy at Conrad Clark Nigeria, where she focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies, sustainability frameworks and risk management.
She has also worked as a sustainability consultant for Bolt Nigeria, advising on environmental responsibility, governance standards and corporate sustainability strategies.
Her experience has exposed her to policy discussions on sustainable development, corporate governance, environmental management and long-term planning.
A New Generation of Leadership
At 41, Sonayon-James represents a younger generation of political leadership at a time when calls for increased youth participation in governance continue to grow.
Supporters believe her combination of grassroots political experience, community engagement and corporate expertise could bring fresh perspectives to public administration.
Her nomination also aligns with the APC’s efforts to promote generational transition while maintaining experienced leadership at the top of its governorship ticket.
Continuing Lagos’ Female Leadership Tradition
If elected, Sonayon-James would continue Lagos State’s tradition of women serving as deputy governor.
She would join the ranks of former female deputy governors including Princess Sarah Sosan, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, and Idiat Adebule.
Her candidacy reinforces the APC’s commitment to gender inclusion while broadening regional representation by giving Badagry a stronger presence in Lagos politics.