I Didn’t Have My Running Mate’s Phone Number Before Her Emergence – Hamzat

Lagos State Deputy Governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, has disclosed that he did not have the phone number of his running mate, Damilola James, until she was selected as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.

Hamzat made the revelation on Thursday during the public presentation of Who Is She? held at the Syrian Club Event Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, while recounting the process that led to James’ emergence.

According to him, although he contributed to defining the qualities the APC wanted in a running mate, he had never met or interacted personally with James before her nomination.

He explained that President Bola Tinubu instructed party leaders to resolve the choice of a running mate internally after he recommended that the deputy governorship candidate should be a young woman.

“The President called me and said, ‘You guys go and sort it out.’ I told him I believed it should be a female and also a young person, and he agreed,” Hamzat said.

The deputy governor added that the party also considered political balancing across Lagos’ senatorial districts during the selection process.

He noted that since he is from Lagos East and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is from Lagos Central, the running mate had to come from Lagos West.

Despite eventually becoming his running mate, Hamzat said he had no prior relationship with James.

“Until Damilola emerged, I didn’t even have her phone number. I got it from someone else,” he said.

Hamzat, however, praised James’ commitment to community development, describing her as an active grassroots politician with a strong record of service.

He also encouraged young women not to be discouraged by negative perceptions about Nigeria, stressing that the country still offers opportunities for those willing to make meaningful contributions.

The Lagos APC had earlier announced Damilola James, the party’s Deputy Woman Leader, as Hamzat’s running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

According to the party, James emerged after extensive consultations and a rigorous selection process, with APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi citing her competence, grassroots acceptance, loyalty to the party and leadership credentials as key factors behind her selection. He added that the Hamzat-James ticket combines experience, innovation and strong grassroots appeal.