In this report, Subair Mohammed writes on the role of the deputy governorship candidates in the emerging battle for Lagos State House in 2027.
As political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, fresh faces are emerging with promises to reshape governance in Lagos State. The deputy governorship candidates are equally important in the political calculations as the candidates. This is because, aside from the constitutional provision which makes it mandatory that a governorship nomination is only complete when a candidate picks an ally as a deputy governor in the race, the running mates also serve ethnic, geopolitical, religious, and ethnic balancing roles. In a sense, they act as braces that ensure a chair stands upright. In the emerging 2027 battle in Lagos, three of them appear to stand out so far. There is the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Princess Damilola Sonayon-James; the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs. Abosede Bolanle Akorede; and the deputy governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Hon. Grace Oluwatobi Coker.
Princess Damilola Sonayon-James hails from the Lagos West senatorial district of the state, the zone regarded as the largest voting bloc. Her emergence as the running mate to Dr Obafemi Hamzat, incumbent deputy governor of the state, appeared to have reignited a long-running political conversation over equity, zoning and power rotation in Nigeria’s commercial capital. Observers have noted that for decades, Lagos West senatorial district has remained one of the state’s most influential political blocs. Despite being the largest senatorial district by population, comprising Alimosho, Ojo, Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ifako-Ijaiye, Agege and several Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), the zone is yet to produce a governor in the current Fourth Republic. The highest position the zone has occupied is the deputy governor, the second-highest office in the state.
Analysts have observed that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the district has produced three deputy governors, including Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, who served under Babatunde Fashola between 2007 and 2011; Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who was deputy governor from 2011 to 2015; and Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who served under the Akinwunmi Ambode administration from 2015 to 2019.
In the Second Republic, the zone equally produced Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, who served as the deputy to the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, between 1979 and 1983. Observers would say that the pattern has become a recurring point of discussion among political stakeholders who argue that while Lagos West has repeatedly demonstrated political loyalty and electoral value, it has remained excluded from the state’s highest office.
In contrast, Lagos Central senatorial district has, since 1999, produced three governors—Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola. and incumbent Babajide Sanwo-Olu—while Lagos East has Akinwumi Ambode as governor between 2015 and 2019. The absence of a governor from Lagos West has continued to fuel calls for a more balanced power-sharing arrangement.
Though Sonayon-James has been named as the running mate to Hamzat, who hails from Lagos East, her emergence is seen as a strategic nomination in view of the fact that many see her nomination as a way of bringing Lagos West closer to the table and a way of strengthening its push for the number one spot someday. Thus, the emergence of Sonayon-James, an indigene of Kweme Kingdom in Badagry West LCDA, is being seen as a significant development in the immediate electoral contest.
Although she is seeking the deputy governorship, political observers say her emergence further consolidates Lagos West’s position within the state’s leadership structure and could strengthen future arguments that the district deserves the governorship.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, described Sonayon-James’ emergence as the outcome of a wide consultation and rigorous selection process.
According to him: “Sonayon-James distinguished herself through her exceptional commitment to service, unwavering dedication to the party, strength of character, innovative thinking, and a proven track record of leadership across the public, private, and political sectors.”
She is seen as a grassroots politician and community development advocate who has served as Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry West LCDA and currently holds the position of Assistant State Woman Leader of the APC.
She is also an author whose book, Who Is She?, advocates greater investment in women as drivers of community development.
Following her emergence, Sonayon-James expressed appreciation to the APC leadership, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governorship candidate, and the deputy governor Obafemi Hamzat, traditional rulers and party supporters across Lagos.
She described her nomination as proof that dedication, loyalty and grassroots service could create opportunities for women and young people in politics. She also pledged to work with the APC governorship candidate, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, to deepen inclusive governance, strengthen party unity and sustain Lagos’ development trajectory.
Across Badagry Division, her nomination has been welcomed as recognition of the area’s contributions to the political evolution of Lagos State. Community leaders and party supporters have described it as a milestone for a division that has consistently sought greater representation in the state’s political leadership.
However, analysts note that while the deputy governorship seat remains a significant office, the larger debate over Lagos West’s quest for the governorship is unlikely to disappear.
The unveiling of Mrs Khadijat Bello as the running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Adedeji Doherty, has opened another chapter in the opposition party’s effort to present an alternative ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
At an event attended by party leaders, candidates and members from the 20 Local Government Areas of the state and the South-West zone, the Lagos PDP formally presented Bello as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
The ceremony, however, went beyond the formal unveiling of the ticket. It also featured the inauguration of the Doherty-Bello Independent Campaign Council and the Lagos PDP Campaign Council, signalling the party’s move to consolidate its campaign structure ahead of the election.
For a party seeking to strengthen its position in a state where it faces the entrenched political machinery of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the choice of Bello, a technocrat who has ventured into partisan politics, is being positioned as part of its broader strategy.
Beyond the political symbolism of the unveiling, Bello’s acceptance speech sought to outline some of the issues around which the ticket intends to build its campaign.
She pledged that a PDP administration would prioritise job creation, justice sector reforms, improved healthcare, quality education and social welfare if elected in 2027.
Her emphasis on service and governance appeared aimed at reinforcing the message of competence and people-oriented administration that Doherty has adopted as a central plank of his campaign.
“This nomination is not a personal achievement; it is a shared victory for service to the people,” Bello said.
She also appealed to members of the party to put internal differences behind them, arguing that unity and collective commitment would be crucial to overcoming the challenges confronting the party.
The appeal comes against the backdrop of internal disagreements and political realignments within the Lagos PDP as various political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
For Doherty, the selection of Bello provides an opportunity to give greater definition to his campaign and present a two-person ticket around which the party can build its message.
Describing his running mate as an accomplished and capable woman, Doherty said the pair would work together to rebuild Lagos through what he described as responsible and people-oriented leadership.
For the PDP, however, the task goes beyond producing a governorship ticket. The party will also have to build a sufficiently broad coalition around the Doherty-Bello platform and translate its policy promises into a campaign capable of connecting with Lagos’ diverse constituencies.
Hon. Grace Oluwatobi Coker, the deputy governorship candidate of the APM in the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State, is another woman who has cut her political teeth in Mushin, the heart of Lagos politics.
Coker presents herself as a grassroots politician with a background in public administration and media, as well as someone who is well equipped for governance and public engagement. She also said that studying Public Administration reinforced the principle that governance is fundamentally about service, while her interaction with diverse communities has deepened her appreciation of the everyday challenges confronting Lagos residents. For Coker, women and children occupy a central place in the APM’s vision for Lagos.
She further declared that the APM intends to expand economic opportunities for women through low-interest loans, vocational training, entrepreneurship support and improved market access if elected. She also advocates stronger legal and institutional protection against domestic and gender-based violence, alongside increased female representation in leadership positions.
On children, the deputy governorship candidate declared that improving public education and healthcare remains a priority, while she also promised increased investment in teachers, better-equipped schools, improved nutrition programmes and stronger primary healthcare services to ensure every child has access to quality education and medical care.
“We believe that a government that protects women and nurtures children is investing in the future of Lagos,” she said.
According to Coker at a recent rally, if the APM is elected in 2027, the party would unveil Atunto Eko 1.0 Road Map, which she said the candidate, Prince Laja Adeoye, would. According to Coker, the document focuses on accountability, inclusive economic growth, improved public services and sustainable development.
If elected deputy governor, Coker declared that she would see her office as more than a ceremonial position because she envisions serving as a bridge between government and citizens while working closely with the governor to ensure effective implementation of government policies.
“I want every Lagosian to feel that government is accessible, responsive and accountable,” she said.
She also stated that an APM administration would seek to complement infrastructure development with greater investment in social services, environmental management, job creation and transparent governance. Speaking on insecurity and the economy, she identified economic hardship as the administration’s immediate priority should the party win the election.
In her estimation, the government’s first 100 days in office would focus on supporting small businesses, expanding youth employment programmes, promoting skills acquisition, attracting investment and providing targeted relief for vulnerable households.
It would be interesting to see the three women take the podium across the state as they attempt to woo voters on the side of their candidates. Lagosians would eventually have their say on election day-February 6, 2027.
