The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Lagos State has taken a highly definitive, strategic step forward in its long-term planning for the 2027 gubernatorial election cycle by officially announcing its choice for the deputy governorship slot. In a move that top political analysts view as an early, aggressive maneuver designed to protect and solidify the party's decades-long dominant political grip on the economic hub of the federation, the state chapter revealed Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as the individual selected to occupy the vital joint ticket. The choice underscores a conscious effort by the party hierarchy to blend established technocratic governance with deeply rooted grassroots mobilization, creating a structurally balanced platform ahead of what promises to be a highly competitive campaign season.
By securing this position on the joint ticket, Sonayon-James is set to contest alongside the party’s official gubernatorial flagbearer and current Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. Hamzat previously cemented his claim to the top of the ballot following a landslide victory during the party's fiercely contested primary election, where he garnered overwhelming support from party delegates across the various local government areas. The political pairing of Hamzat and Sonayon-James comes directly on the heels of a series of major structural endorsements for the ticket, having already received crucial, foundational backing from the highest decision-making organs within the state's political architecture. This includes formal blessings from the Governor’s Advisory Council, the outgoing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, regional party stalwarts, and the broader leadership of the southwest political bloc, all of whom have united behind the current pairing to ensure a smooth transition of power within the state house.
A closer look at the political profile of the newly selected running mate reveals why the APC leadership settled on her candidacy to complement Hamzat's extensive administrative experience. Hailing from the historic coastal town of Badagry, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James is widely recognized across Lagos as a highly seasoned politician, sustainability specialist, and accomplished business leader. Before her recent elevation, she served diligently within the party ranks as the State Assistant Woman Leader and subsequently rose to the significant position of Deputy State Chairman of the APC in Lagos State. Her experience in core grassroots governance is further highlighted by her past service as a Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Social Services within the Badagry West Local Council Development Area, a role that brought her into direct contact with the socio-economic realities of everyday citizens in the state's peripheral communities.
Beyond her active involvement in party politics and community development initiatives, Sonayon-James brings an impressive academic and professional background to the table. She holds a Master's degree in Social Work from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, alongside a specialized degree in Business and Human Resources Management obtained from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. Over the course of her professional career, she has built a dynamic reputation as an Environmental, Social, and Governance expert, as well as a Sustainability Risk Consultant, while operating successfully in the private sector as the Chief Executive Officer of DGS Chauffeurs and Logistics. This unique blend of international education, private sector corporate experience, and localized public service makes her a formidable choice to serve alongside Hamzat, whose career has similarly been defined by engineering and administrative expertise in both the private and public sectors.
The strategic pairing is also seen by party insiders as a deliberate effort to address historical geographical and demographic balancing acts within Lagos State politics. By selecting a high-profile female leader from the Badagry division, the APC is effectively strengthening its voter base in the rural and coastal zones of the state, while simultaneously responding to growing calls for increased women's inclusion and empowerment in high-level executive governance. This calculated balancing act is expected to provide the party with a massive boost in structural loyalty, making it increasingly difficult for opposition parties to find exploitative cracks in the ruling party's regional fortress.
With the core elements of the gubernatorial ticket now officially locked in place, the state party leadership has indicated that it is fully expected to host a grand, formal unveiling ceremony for the Hamzat–Sonayon-James ticket in the coming days. The high-profile event, which will bring together heavyweights from across the national and state political landscape, is scheduled to serve as the official flag-off for a much more aggressive, statewide phase of grassroots mobilization, political sensitization, and community outreach. Party organizers are already preparing to deploy thousands of volunteers and campaign coordinators across all wards, neighborhoods, and local government areas, with the explicit goal of educating voters on the continuity of developmental policies and the specific governance advantages offered by the combined strengths of the new ticket.
As the political atmosphere in Lagos gradually intensifies in anticipation of the 2027 general elections, the early rollout of this balanced ticket gives the All Progressives Congress an undeniable head start in operational organization. By solidifying its executive lineup well in advance of the statutory campaign windows, the party aims to project an image of absolute stability, unity, and governance readiness. This proactive strategy is designed to reassure local business communities, international investors, and the general populace that the ongoing infrastructural revolution and economic policies initiated by the current administration will be seamlessly sustained, improved upon, and expanded under the incoming leadership duo.
