Lagos gov’ship 2027: APC picks Damilola Sonayon-James as Hamzat’s running mate

By Lateef Ibrahim

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has completed its governorship ticket for the 2027 election with the selection of Damilola Sonayon-James as running mate to the party’s governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat.
Announcing the decision in Lagos, APC State Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi said Sonayon-James emerged after extensive consultations and a selection process that assessed leadership qualities, competence, grassroots appeal, party loyalty and capacity for public service.
The choice signals the party’s effort to project a blend of experience and generational renewal ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Currently serving as the Lagos APC Deputy Woman Leader, Sonayon-James is a governance and development professional with more than 15 years of experience in public policy, institutional development, sustainability, stakeholder engagement and community development.
Party leaders highlighted her previous service as Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry-West Local Council Development Area, where she was involved in programmes focused on agriculture, youth empowerment, women’s development, education and social welfare.
According to the APC leadership, her nomination reflects the party’s commitment to increasing the participation of women and young professionals in leadership positions.
Ojelabi described the Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket as a combination of administrative experience, grassroots connection and innovative leadership, expressing confidence that the pair would advance the party’s development agenda for Lagos State.
The unveiling comes weeks after Hamzat secured the APC governorship ticket, positioning the ruling party to begin full-scale preparations for what is expected to be a closely watched 2027 election in Lagos State.