Seven things to know about Damilola Sonayon-James, Obafemi Hamzat’s running mate

Damilola Sonayon-James, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in Lagos State for the 2027 election, has risen from a relatively low political profile to emerge as the running mate to the party’s governorship candidate and incumbent Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat.

The 41-year-old currently serves as the Lagos APC deputy woman leader and was unveiled as Hamzat’s running mate in June 2026. Sonayon-James is a princess of the Kweme Kingdom in Badagry West Local Council Development Area and the granddaughter of the late Oba Afolabi Ogungbe James. Her late father, Bolarinwa Sonayon James, was a former member of the House of Representatives and a prominent grassroots politician in the Badagry division.

Despite her political background, her rise within the APC was not without setbacks. She previously contested for the chairmanship of Badagry West LCDA but was unsuccessful and was also passed over for the position of secretary to the local government. She subsequently served as supervisory councillor for agriculture and social services in the same council.

During her time in local government, Sonayon-James was involved in initiatives focusing on agriculture, women’s empowerment, youth inclusion, educational support and community welfare. Her activities at the grassroots later complemented her rise within the APC, where she moved from state assistant woman leader to deputy state woman leader.

Beyond politics, Sonayon-James has a professional background in governance, sustainability and risk management. She spent about six years with the Lagos Internal Revenue Service before working as head of sustainability risk and strategy at Conrad Clark Nigeria and undertaking consulting work for Bolt Nigeria. She is also associated with DGS Chauffeurs and Logistics.

Her academic background cuts across business management and community development. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and human resources management from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom and a master’s degree in social work, with a specialisation in community development, from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. She was also part of a technical team that reviewed the Lagos State youth policy in 2020.

Her selection as Hamzat’s running mate also came through a process in which, according to Hamzat, he had not previously known her personally. Speaking in July 2026, Hamzat said the decision followed consultations within the Lagos APC after President Bola Tinubu agreed that the running mate should be a young woman, while zoning considerations also played a role.

With her emergence, Sonayon-James now occupies one of the most prominent political positions of her career, bringing together her Badagry roots, grassroots political experience and private-sector background. If the APC ticket wins the 2027 election, she could become the first indigene of Badagry to serve as deputy governor of Lagos State.