By Musbau Rasak
All things being equal, Princess Damilola Sonayon James, All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Governorship candidate in Lagos State for the 2027 general election is set to become the youngest ever Deputy Governor in the history of the state since its creation in 1967, reports thegazellenews.com
On Monday, 8 June, 2026, the APC Chairman in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Oyefolu Ojelabi, officially presented Princess Sonayo James as the party’s chosen running mate to Dr Kadir Obafemi Hamzat in the coming governorship election in the state.
Thegazellenews.com reported that the presentation was made in the presence of the current state Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; Hamzat himself; and members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) led by their Chairman, Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi.
The presentation officially stamped the reports circulating in the media that the Kweme Princess has been chosen as the running mate to Dr Hamzat.
All things being equal, with APC and Progressives at large controlling the politics of the tiniest but wealthiest state in Nigeria, Princess Sonayon James is expected to be sworn-in, by the special grace of God, as the Deputy Governor of Lagos State on Saturday, 29 May, 2027.
When this is achieved, God’s willing, she will become the youngest ever Deputy Governor in the history of the state since its creation in 1967. By May 2027, she will be 42 years old.
The emergence of Sonayo James gives the Lagos APC leading role in propagating the ideals of the party. Her emergence has scored two major political points – giving the female gender the opportunity to excel and allowing the younger generation the opportunity to participate in governance by giving them critical role to play.
A prominent politician, sustainability expert and business executive, Sonayon James is known for her grassroots political engagement and advocacy for women’s participation in leadership and governance.
Over the years, Sonayon James has played key roles within the APC structure in Lagos and has also served as Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry West Local Council Development Area.
She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, as well as a degree in Business and Human Resources Management from the University of Hull, United Kingdom.
Beyond politics, she has established a career spanning human resources, logistics and sustainability management. She is the Chief Executive Officer of DGS Chauffeurs and Logistics.
Currently, the Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule remains the youngest Deputy Governor in Lagos State.
Adebule was only 45 when she took Oath of Office on 29 May, 2015 also on the platform of APC. She was a deputy to then Governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode. She left office on May 29, 2019 after spending four years in office.
Late Chief Rafiu Adeyefa Bakare Jafojo born in 1935, became Deputy Governor of Lagos State at the age of 45 years on 1 October, 1979. He was deputy to late Lateef Kayode Jakande of the now defunct Unity Party Of Nigeria (UPN). He left office on 31 December, 1983 after spending four years and 91 days.
Next on the list was Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu. Born in 1946, Alhaja Ojikutu was 46 years old when she was sworn-in as Deputy to Late Sir Micheal Otedola, after they have been elected on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC).
She left office on 17 November,1993 after spending one year, 319 days.
Otunba Femi Pedro is next. He became Deputy Governor of Lagos State at 47 years-old on 14 January, 2003 and he left office on 10 May, 2007 after four years and 116 days in office on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD). Pedro was deputy to then Governor of the state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu now president of Nigeria.
Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan became Deputy Governor of Lagos State at the age of 51 on 29 May, 2007 on the platform of the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). She was deputy to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. Sosan left office on 29 May, 2011 after spending four years in office.
Alhaja Lateefat Modupeola Okunnu, born December 3, 1939, became Deputy Governor of Lagos State at the age of 51 years on July 1, 1990. She was Deputy to then Colonel Raji Rasaki. She left the post on January 2, 1992 after spending one year and 215 days in office.
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