The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly selected Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.
The development is said to have ended weeks of speculation over the party’s choice of deputy, signaling a strategic move as preparations intensify for the upcoming elections in the state.
Sonayon-James, who hails from Badagry in Lagos State, is expected to run alongside Hamzat as part of the party’s governorship ticket, although an official announcement is still pending.
Party insiders say her selection has already generated excitement within political circles, especially in the Badagry area, where she is widely regarded as a grassroots mobiliser with strong community influence.
Sources within the party also claim that her nomination received backing from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Lagos State Governance Advisory Committee (GAC), the party’s top decision-making body in the state.
Sonayon-James currently serves as the Assistant State Woman Leader of the APC in Lagos and is known for her involvement in political mobilisation, community engagement, and advocacy for inclusive development.
Beyond politics, she has a background in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting and sustainability risk management, with experience spanning public policy and community development initiatives.
She is also connected to the traditional institution in Badagry as a member of the Kweme royal family and is the granddaughter of the late Oba Afolabi Ogungbe James.
Her professional experience includes serving as Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry West LCDA, where she participated in several community development and social intervention programmes.
She holds academic qualifications from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), and currently leads DGS Chauffeurs & Logistics as Chief Executive Officer.
Party stakeholders have described her emergence as a move that strengthens representation for the Badagry axis and reflects broader efforts to balance political inclusion across Lagos State.
Political figures from the area, including party chieftains and lawmakers, have publicly welcomed her nomination, describing it as a recognition of service, loyalty, and grassroots engagement.
The APC is expected to officially unveil the Hamzat–Sonayon-James ticket in the coming days as preparations for the 2027 governorship election continue.
