By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Damilola Sonayon-James and Bola Tinubu |
LAGOS, NIGERIA — In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 Lagos State gubernatorial race, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has tapped Badagry-born politician and sustainability expert, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James, as its official deputy governorship candidate.
According to an exclusive report initially broke by the Western Post and confirmed by senior party insiders, Sonayon-James will share the ticket with the current Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who recently secured the APC’s governorship nomination to succeed outgoing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Political analysts view the selection of Princess Sonayon-James as a calculated masterstroke by the APC leadership. By selecting a prominent figure from the Badagry division, the party aims to significantly consolidate its voting base in Lagos West, an area that historically commands massive influence in state elections.
Sonayon-James is not a stranger to the inner workings of the party. She currently serves as the Assistant State Woman Leader for the APC in Lagos State, a position she has leveraged to build deep networks of community organizers and women's advocacy groups.
A senior party source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted the strategic value she brings to the joint ticket:
“The choice of Sonayon-James bridges critical gaps. She connects perfectly with the traditional institutions, represents an essential demographic as a female leader, and commands genuine grassroots loyalty across Badagry and beyond.”
Beyond her political acumen, the deputy governorship candidate boasts an impressive professional pedigree that balances public governance with modern administrative trends. She is a recognized Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) expert and a Sustainability Risk Consultant.
Hailing from the royal family of the Kweme Kingdom in the Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), her background uniquely positions her to navigate both traditional governance and modern state policy implementation.
Profile at a Glance: Princess Damilola Sonayon-James
Her Origin: Royal family of Kweme Kingdom, Badagry West LCDA
She is Currently the APC Assistant State Woman Leader, Lagos State
Professional Expertise: ESG Specialist & Sustainability Risk Consultant
Past Public Service: Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture & Social Services (Badagry West).
Her elevation to the joint ticket marks a historic milestone for women within the state's political arena. Observers suggest that her pairing with Dr. Hamzat underscores a growing institutional intent within the ruling party to diversify executive leadership and bring technocratic women into core decision-making roles.
During her previous tenure as a Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Social Services, Sonayon-James spearheaded several successful social intervention programs directly targeting small-scale farmers and vulnerable households.
An insider privy to the campaign planning stated:
“This ticket represents the ideal blend of executive continuity and fresh grassroots perspective. Dr. Hamzat brings immense experience in system engineering and state administration, while Princess Sonayon-James offers unparalleled connection to the local communities and a modern understanding of sustainable development.”
While the party secretariat has yet to roll out the formal red carpet for the official unveiling, sources confirm that the joint Hamzat-Sonayon-James campaign machinery is already being optimized, with a public presentation expected to follow in the coming days.