Princess Damilola Sonayon-James, a prominent grassroots politician from Badagry and Assistant State Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has emerged as the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the forthcoming Lagos governorship election.
Her selection, first reported by Western Post, positions her as the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Femi Hamzat, according to party sources familiar with the development.
Although the ruling party has yet to formally announce the ticket, multiple sources within the APC reportedly confirmed that Sonayon-James was chosen following consultations among key stakeholders, with an official unveiling expected in the coming days.
The development is widely seen as a strategic political calculation aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots support base and consolidating its influence in the Badagry division, a politically significant axis of Lagos State.
Sonayon-James, a seasoned party mobiliser, currently serves as the Assistant State Woman Leader of the APC and is known for her active involvement in community engagement, political organisation and advocacy for inclusive development.
Beyond partisan politics, she has built a profile as an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) expert and Sustainability Risk Consultant, with experience spanning public policy, governance and community development initiatives.
A native of Badagry, Sonayon-James hails from the royal family of Kweme Kingdom in Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), a background that has enhanced her influence across traditional and political structures within the division.
Her public service record includes her tenure as Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry West LCDA, where she participated in the implementation of grassroots development and social intervention programmes.
Political analysts say her emergence underscores the growing prominence of women in Lagos politics and reflects the APC’s increasing willingness to elevate female leaders to strategic positions within the party hierarchy.
If formally confirmed, Sonayon-James will rank among the most politically prominent figures from the Badagry division to secure a place on a major governorship ticket in Lagos State, a development that could further boost the region’s relevance in the state’s political landscape.
The APC is expected to make an official statement on the composition of its governorship ticket in the coming days as preparations intensify ahead of the election.
