Lagos Politics: APC Elevates Sonayan-James, Strengthens 2027 Governorship Ticket

LAGOS — The All Progressives Congress has boosted its preparations for the 2027 Lagos State governorship election with the unveiling of Damilola Sonayan-James as its deputy governorship candidate, a move party leaders say is aimed at strengthening the party’s electoral prospects.

The announcement positions Sonayan-James as a key figure in the party’s campaign structure as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its political dominance in the state ahead of the polls.

Party officials described her emergence as the outcome of extensive consultations and a strategic decision to present a ticket that reflects competence, grassroots engagement and inclusive leadership.

Speaking on the development, APC leaders said Sonayan-James had demonstrated commitment to the party’s ideals and possessed the experience required to contribute meaningfully to governance if elected.

Her nomination is also expected to bolster the party’s appeal among women, youths and grassroots supporters, given her track record in community development and political mobilisation.

Political observers believe the decision underscores the APC’s determination to field a balanced ticket capable of sustaining its influence in Lagos while responding to the evolving expectations of the electorate.

With the unveiling concluded, attention is expected to shift to statewide mobilisation and engagement with stakeholders as the party prepares for what is anticipated to be a keenly contested governorship election in 2027.

‎ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT MOBILIZES ON #UniteAgainstTerror CAMPAIGN, CALLS FOR NATIONAL UNITY AGAINST TERRORISM

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‎The Ondo State Government has announced its support for the nationwide #UniteAgainstTerror campaign, calling on all Nigerians to rise above political, ethnic, and religious differences in a collective effort to combat terrorism and other forms of violent crimes threatening the nation’s peace and stability.
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‎2. The campaign mobilization comes in the wake of the recent conviction and sentencing of individuals linked to the horrific Owo church massacre of June 2022, a tragedy that claimed innocent lives and left lasting scars on families, communities, and the nation. While welcoming the judicial outcome as a significant step toward justice, the Government emphasized that the fight against terrorism requires sustained vigilance and the active participation of all citizens.
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‎3. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa stated that this is a defining moment for Nigerians to come together with one voice against terrorism, stressing that national security must transcend partisan interests. According to the Governor, “when we see something, we must say something,” urging citizens to promptly report suspicious activities and security concerns to the appropriate authorities.
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‎4. The Government commends the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, and other security agencies for their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to protecting lives and defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
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‎5. Ondo State Government therefore calls on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations, youth groups, civil society organizations, media practitioners, and all well-meaning Nigerians to embrace the #UniteAgainstTerror campaign as a patriotic movement aimed at strengthening intelligence gathering, promoting public awareness, and denying criminal elements the space to operate within our communities.
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‎6. The Government reaffirms its commitment to supporting all lawful measures that enhance national security and urges every citizen to remain alert, responsible, and actively involved in the collective task of safeguarding Nigeria. Together, united in purpose and action, we can defeat terrorism and build a safer and more secure nation for present and future generations.
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‎Hon. Idowu Ajanaku,
‎Commissioner for Information and Orientation
June 5, 2026

WAZOBIA: Nigeria’s Hardly Separable Tripod Stand Since 1914; It’s Time To Rotate Presidency Among 6 Geo-Political Zones In 2027

Dear High Chief Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), I bring you calvary greetings from the land of Lincoln. I want to first of all commend your continued sincerity of purpose for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.

But with all due respect sir, let me reaffirm that since 1914, when the British colonialists led by Lord Frederick Lugard, amalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates, Nigeria has always stood on a Tripod called WAZOBIA (Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani, and Igbo). In fact, it is the alleged domination of these three major ethnic nationalities that brought about the doctrine of necessity called the Six Geo-political Zones proposed by Chief Alex Ekwueme, et al., at the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference chaired by the late Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte and empaneled by General Sanni Abacha.

Prior to, and during this period under review, there were legitimate claims and concerns from ethnic minorities across the old Eastern region, the old Northern region, as well as the old Western region that they were being dominated, marginalized, oppressed, and strangulated by the abovementioned three major ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

So, to solve this hydra-headed problem capable of imploding Nigeria, via a doctrine of necessity, General Sanni Abacha in 1996, partitioned Nigeria into six geo-political zones, namely: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West.

The minorities in the old Northern region were majorly zoned into the North Central. This is even as the minorities in the old Eastern region and old Western region were respectively zoned into the South South (a cardinal point unknown to history).

As one of the ardent students of contemporary Nigerian history and politics, permit me to affirm that pertitioning Nigeria into six geo-political zones is the best bet at guaranteeing justice, equity, fairness, national unity, national cohesion, national peace, and commandeering national loyalty in a country like Nigeria with over 385 ethnic nationalities and over 500 languages.

Going forward into 2027, to make Nigeria work, all that is needed has been proferred by Chief Alex Ekwueme during the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference. Let’s rotate the presidency among the six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years. This is in line with the spirit and letters of Section 14(3) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Of all the frontline Presidential candidates for the 2027 all-important elections, only His Excellency Atiku Abubakar- @atiku espouses and religiously supports this equitable zoning arrangement. The North/South zoning arrangement has been a scam all along. It has not been able to restore national unity, national peace, and commandeer national loyalty among Nigerians from across the six geo-political zones for their beloved country.

It is therefore, self-evident and conspicuous like the North Star that when power goes North, the more populated North West hijacks it and runs away with it. And when power comes South, the more populated South West using its mainstream media and propaganda prowess, hijacks it and runs away with it. This malady has continued unabated since 1999 to the chagrin of the marginalized North East, South East, and North Central.

As an emerging political scientist and investigative journalist, I affirm that at this auspicious moment in Nigeria’s chequered history, the country now urgently needs an experienced reformer with the political will and balls of steel like Waziri Adamawa; the Zege Mule u Tiv; and the Ogo wu chi onye 1 of Igboland, to get the failing country out of the woods.

Your (Okutepa’s) proposition to downplay the fact that Nigeria is standing on a Tripod called WAZOBIA can be described as an academic exercise tantamount to futility. Nigeria will always stand on a Tripod. All that is needed is for the 1999 Constitution to be amended to make it an impeachable offence for the Nigerian President to abuse his powers and going contrary against the spirit and letters of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Muhammadu Buhari did it and was not punished with impeachment proceedings from the rubber-stamp Senate Presidency of Ahmed Lawan. Bola Tinubu continued from where Buhari stopped and has not been punished with impeachment proceedings from the rubber-stamp Senate Presidency of Godswill Akpabio.

By and large, I reckon with you in toto, that Nigeria’s problem is not in the 1999 Constitution nor in the law, but in the blatant disregard and disrespect for law and order. Gift the American Constitution to these current crop of rogue politicians in Nigeria, they will still plunge Nigeria into the unfathomable chaos like they have done today.

Going into 2027 all-important presidential election billed for Saturday, January 16, 2027, let me conclude by saying that since 2015, having tried and tested two successive regimes of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, it’s time to try and test the main opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, whose charge is led by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar.

May the Nigerian State and the Nigerian people succeed in 2027!

Ikenna Asomba is a political scientist and journalist. He writes from the State of Illinois, United States.