Hamzat reveals how he got his running mate’s contact

The Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, has said he did not have his running mate Damilola Sonayon-James' phone number until she was named as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.

Hamzat shared this on Thursday while talking about how Sonayon-James was chosen during the public presentation of Who Is She? at the Syrian Club Event Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.

He explained that while he helped define the qualities the party wanted in a running mate, he had never met Sonayon-James before her selection.

President Bola Tinubu told party leaders to sort out the running mate matter after he suggested that the deputy should be a woman and young.

“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,” Hamzat said.

Hamzat added that they also had to think about political balance in the state.

“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,” he said.

He pointed out that even though Sonayon-James is now his running mate, they did not have a personal relationship before this.

“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 stressed that what is most important is her dedication to service and 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 encouraged young women not to let negative views about Nigeria discourage them, saying there are still chances for those who want to make a difference.

“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.”

PUNCH Online earlier reported that the Lagos State chapter of the APC named 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 was chosen after what they called extensive consultations and a thorough selection process, highlighting her competence, acceptance in the community, loyalty to the party, and leadership skills.

APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi mentioned that Sonayon-James stood out due to her commitment to service, innovative ideas, and proven leadership in public, private, and political areas. He added that the Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket shows a mix of experience, fresh ideas, and community ties.