The Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, has revealed that he did not have the phone number of his running mate, Damilola Sonayon-James, until she emerged as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
Hamzat disclosed this on Thursday while recounting the process that led to the selection of Sonayon-James during the public presentation of Who Is She?, held at the Syrian Club Event Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
He said although he played a role in shaping the qualities the party wanted in a running mate, he had never personally interacted with Sonayon-James before her emergence.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu asked party leaders to resolve the issue of the running mate among themselves after he suggested that the deputy should be a woman and a young person.
“The President called me and said, you guys go and sort it out, and I’m quoting him. I said, sir, I think it should be a female. He said, it’s okay.
“It should be young. He said, it’s okay,” he said.
Hamzat said the selection process also took into consideration the state’s political balancing.
“We now said, okay, but we must also make sure it’s not from the east, because I’m from the east. And then the current governor is from the central, so it cannot be from central. It must be from the west,” Hamzat said.
He noted that despite Sonayon-James eventually emerging as his running mate, they had no prior personal relationship.
“But my point is that until Damilola was elected, I don’t know her phone number. I got her phone number from somebody,” he said.
The deputy governor, however, said what mattered most was her record of service and commitment to grassroots development.
“But what is the important thing? The important thing is that she’s been very active in the community. She’s been doing great things.”
Hamzat urged young women not to be discouraged by negative narratives about Nigeria, saying opportunities still exist for those willing to contribute to society.
“So, our young ladies, you know, if you listen on television, you hear all sorts of negative things about this country. Don’t believe it. Don’t believe it.
“And, you know, I will also talk about some of the issues that have been raised.”
It was earlier reported that the Lagos State chapter of the APC announced Sonayon-James, the party’s Deputy Woman Leader, as Hamzat’s running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
The party said the Badagry-born politician emerged after what it described as extensive consultations and a rigorous selection process, citing her competence, grassroots acceptance, party loyalty and leadership capacity.
APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi said Sonayon-James distinguished herself through her commitment to service, innovative thinking and proven leadership across the public, private and political sectors, adding that the Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket represents a blend of experience, innovation and grassroots connection.
The PUNCH