Lagos State Deputy Governor and 2027 APC governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, recently shared that his running mate, Damilola Sonayon-James, was a stranger to him until the party confirmed her nomination. He spoke about the selection process on Thursday at an event in Ikoyi, explaining that President Bola Tinubu instructed the Lagos APC leadership to finalize the ticket decision.
Hamzat requested that the nominee be a young woman, a proposal the President approved. The party also adhered to internal zoning policies, noting that because the governor and deputy governor positions were already represented in other districts, the candidate needed to come from Lagos West. According to Hamzat, he did not even possess her contact information before her appointment.
Ultimately, Sonayon-James, the Lagos APC deputy woman leader, was chosen based on her merit and significant track record in community development and grassroots organizing. Hamzat highlighted her active role in Badagry as a key factor in her selection, using her success to encourage other young women to pursue public service.
