Lagos State Deputy Governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Obafemi Hamzat, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu advised party leaders to resolve the choice of a running mate among themselves while recommending that the deputy governorship candidate should be a young woman.
Hamzat made the revelation on Thursday during the public presentation of the book Who Is She? held at the Syrian Club Event Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He explained that the selection process for his running mate, Damilola Sonayon-James, was guided by political considerations, merit, and the need to maintain the state’s geopolitical balance rather than personal relationships.
According to him, he had never interacted personally with Sonayon-James before she was chosen as the APC deputy governorship candidate and did not even have her phone number until after her emergence.
Recounting his conversation with President Tinubu, Hamzat said the President allowed party stakeholders to make the final decision while endorsing the idea of a female and youthful running mate.
“The President called me and said, ‘You people should go and sort it out yourselves,’ and I’m quoting him. I told him I thought it should be a woman, and he agreed. I also suggested that the person should be young, and he agreed as well,” Hamzat said.
He added that the party also considered the state’s zoning arrangement during the selection process.
According to him, because he is from Lagos East and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is from Lagos Central, the deputy governorship candidate had to emerge from Lagos West to ensure regional balance within the state.
Hamzat stressed that Sonayon-James’ emergence was based on her track record of community service and grassroots engagement.
“Until Damilola was selected, I didn’t even know her phone number. I had to obtain it from someone else. What mattered was that she had been very active in her community and had consistently done remarkable work,” he said.
The deputy governor also encouraged young women across the country to remain optimistic despite widespread negative narratives about Nigeria.
He urged them not to allow discouraging reports to diminish their ambitions, insisting that the country still offers opportunities for individuals willing to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Hamzat maintained that dedication, hard work, and service to society remain key qualities that can open doors for young people, particularly women aspiring to leadership positions.
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