The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has unveiled Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Lagos State chapter of the party, which described Sonayon-James as a seasoned administrator, grassroots mobiliser and development professional whose emergence followed extensive consultations within the party.
According to the APC, the decision was reached after a rigorous selection process that assessed competence, leadership capacity, grassroots acceptance, party loyalty and the ability to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of Lagos State.
State APC Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, said Sonayon-James distinguished herself through her commitment to public service, innovative leadership style and proven track record across the public, private and political sectors.
Ojelabi expressed confidence that the Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket would provide the blend of experience, vision and grassroots connection required to advance the developmental aspirations of Lagos residents.
He urged Lagosians to support the APC in the forthcoming election, describing the ticket as one capable of sustaining economic growth, promoting inclusiveness and delivering greater prosperity for the state.
Sonayon-James, a native of Badagry, currently serves as the APC’s State Deputy Woman Leader. The party said her nomination reflects its commitment to inclusiveness, women participation in governance and youth-oriented leadership.
The 41-year-old governance and development expert is said to possess more than 15 years of experience spanning public policy, institutional development, sustainability, risk management, human capital development, stakeholder engagement and community development.
The APC noted that she had previously served as Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry-West Local Council Development Area, where she championed initiatives aimed at agricultural development, women empowerment, youth inclusion, educational support and community welfare.
Beyond public office, Sonayon-James has remained actively involved in grassroots political mobilisation, advocacy for women and youth development, and community engagement across Lagos State.
Party leaders described her as a respected political figure with strong grassroots appeal, particularly among women and young people, where she is affectionately known as “Sis Eko.”
According to the APC, her emergence further demonstrates the party’s determination to broaden participation in governance while strengthening its electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 governorship poll.
The unveiling formally sets the stage for the APC’s campaign as it seeks to retain control of Lagos State in the next electoral cycle.
