The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally announced Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as its deputy governorship candidate for Lagos State in the upcoming February 2027 elections, where she will run alongside Dr Obafemi Hamzat.
The announcement was made on Monday, June 8, by the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who said the decision followed a broad consultation process within the party’s leadership structure.
According to the party, Sonayon-James’ nomination had already received backing from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governance Advisory Committee (GAC), which serves as the APC’s highest decision-making body in Lagos State.
Her selection comes at a time when Hamzat’s governorship bid is reportedly gaining wide support from key stakeholders, including leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), transport unions, and several religious groups across the state.
The APC explained that following Hamzat’s emergence as the party’s consensus governorship candidate, consultations were intensified to identify a suitable running mate capable of complementing the ticket.
Sonayon-James, who currently serves as the Lagos State Deputy Woman Leader of the APC, was eventually chosen after what the party described as a rigorous selection process.
Ojelabi said the decision was based on several considerations, including competence, leadership experience, grassroots appeal, party loyalty, and capacity to contribute to the development of Lagos State.
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He further noted that she stood out for her dedication to service, strong leadership record, innovative approach to governance, and consistent involvement in political and community development activities.
Describing the ticket, Ojelabi expressed confidence that the Hamzat–Sonayon-James combination offers a blend of experience, innovation, and strong grassroots connection capable of driving Lagos’ development agenda.
He also urged residents of the state to support the APC in the 2027 polls, stressing that the party represents continuity, inclusive growth, and sustained progress.
“Her dedication to service and her close connection with the people have earned her widespread admiration, particularly among women and young people, many of whom affectionately refer to her as ‘Sisi Eko of APC,” Ojelabi said.
He added, “Her emergence as Deputy Governorship Candidate further reinforces the APC’s commitment to inclusive leadership, youth participation, women’s representation, and the continued advancement of Lagos State as Africa’s leading centre of Innovation, opportunity, and sustainable development,” the chairman said.
Sonayon-James, aged 41, is a governance and development professional with over 15 years of experience spanning public policy, institutional development, sustainability, risk governance, human capital strategy, stakeholder engagement, and community development.
Before rising to her current position, she served as Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry West Local Council Development Area, where she led initiatives focused on agricultural development, youth empowerment, women’s inclusion, education support, and social welfare programmes.
She has also remained active in grassroots mobilisation, youth development, women’s leadership training, and community advocacy across Lagos State, strengthening her profile within both political and civic spaces.