City Info

2023: Gbajabiamila Endorses Wale Raji Third Term Bid, Slams Epe Obscure Political Tradition

Published

3 years ago

Mar 4, 2022.

Paul Mbagwu

By Babatunde Kaka

Hon. Gbajabiamila Slams Epe obscure Political Tradition, Endorses Wale Raji Third Term Bid Alongside Epe Obas & Chiefs
I said Epe has a tradition, a tradition of moving from one rep to another rep after 4 years. We all respect that tradition, but when a tradition does not bring progress, you rescind that tradition

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and Lawmaker representing Surulere Federal Constituency, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has charged the good people of Epe on the need to eschew obscure political traditions.

Gbajabiamila also threw his weights behind the Member of the Federal House Of Representatives, Representing Epe Federal Constituency, Hon Wale Raji’s Third Term bid.

The number four citizen of Nigeria made this call at the official commissioning of some educational projects across the Epe Federal Constituency facilitated by his counterpart, Hon Wale Raji, on Thursday, at Ogunmodede College, Epe.

Wale Raji Third Term Bid

Gbajabiamila said that it was important for the generality of Epe people to consider a paradigm shift in the political culture for the socio-economic, political and psycho-social advancement of Epe, stating that politics was inevitable and that the obscure practice has been unproductive until recently.

“Let me talk politics, we can not run away from it, just a few days ago, the president signed into law the new electoral act that has astounding provisions that will make our elections free, fair and credible. One thing that has been done by INEC which concerns everybody here in Epe is that our Primaries select who represents our great party, unlike never before, the primaries will take place very early and that’s in the next six or eight weeks there about.

“Let me now reiterate, I want to charge the people of Epe to do what is right and I will tell you what in my opinion is right. I was here towards the end of Hon Wale Raji’s 1st term and I made a public statement here in Epe. I said Epe has a tradition, a tradition of moving from one rep to another rep after 4 years. We all respect that tradition, but when a tradition does not bring progress, you rescind that tradition,” he said.

The 5th term serving legislator argued that It was right for the good people of Epe to wear their thinking cap, stating that it was only “common sense” that must be applied in their political tradition since politics itself is a game of common sense.

Gbajabiamila opined that the obscure tradition of electing Federal Lawmakers every four years was counterproductive, stressing that such candidates would be aversed to service delivery at the detriment of the people.

Speaker, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila addressed the gathering.

“If you elect somebody for four years based on tradition and you bring another person on board again that after 4 years, irrespective of what he does, no matter his service, even if he travels from Epe to Abuja 4 times in a week, no matter what, after 4 years, based on our tradition in Epe, you are not going back.

“And I said to the people of Epe then, I said let us think about it for a minute, if we elect such a person who leaves after 4 years, if he knows that after four years, you’re not returning him, he would sit down in Abuja, he would do whatever he needs to do, he would take care of himself and his family and those around him and you will never hear from him because it’s not his fault but because he knows that whatever he does would be unacknowledged. Is that the kind of tradition you want?” he said.

The Speaker argued that the kind of tradition that should be emulated by the good people of Epe is such that would motivate political officeholders to serve in their best capacities since they are sure that their service delivery would be reciprocated with overwhelming support to return for another term.

He said, “When you elect somebody and he knows that based on what he does, based on his performance, based on his connection with his people, he has the possibility and the chance of those actions that he has taken being acknowledged and being returned to the house like, it will motivate him, it is that tradition that we should hand down to Hon Wale Raji.

“It is that thing that he knows that has propelled him apart from the love for Epe and the people of Epe, that one is standard, he has it, for the fact that he knows that whatever he does will be acknowledged by you, every man and woman, young and old, is what I know that has propelled him to do the things that you have seen him do one by one.”

He also made a passionate appeal to the good people of Epe to close ranks and make sure Hon Wale Raji is returned for another term unopposed with overwhelming votes.

He added that the leadership of Obas and Chiefs in Epe had earlier threw their weight behind the Lawmaker through a written endorsement, which he said would go places.

“Therefore, under the saddle of my boss, I want to plead with the people of Epe, as he has continued to do well, I want you to continue to stand with him, I want you to vote for him overwhelmingly.

“At the palace today, the Epe Council of Obas gave me a letter, the Council of Obas fully, unequivocally without reservations support the candidacy of Hon Wale Raji. You’ve had the written endorsement from the Obas and the people of Epe and a verbal endorsement by the Speaker,” he reiterated.

In a swift move, the Speaker added that two criteria determine the performance of a legislator all over the world, which is the performance at the seat of power in the National Assembly and secondly, his performance back home.

He boasted that Hon Wale Raji has “done exceedingly well” on the stated criteria.

Insisting on an open endorsement for returning the Lawmaker unopposed while also appealing that there must be an assurance that he won’t be contested against which was greeted with a deafening approval, Gbajabiamila also assured that he’d honour his part of the deal.

“If he can be returned unopposed, I am not talking about the election because I know you will elect him. But if he is returned unopposed, that nobody will contest against him, I can assure you that in my own part of the bargain, that the first 6 months of the new term in my government will witness rapid development in Epe like never before. That is the agreement,” he assured.

Pictures from the event:

Epe Obas alongside APC leaders and stakeholders in a group photograph with Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

From Left, Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornellious Ojelabi, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon Wale Raji and his counterpart, Prince Bayo Balogun at the commissioning of blocks of classrooms at Odo-Obara High School, Epe.

Hon Wale Raji addresses the Epe Obas headed by Oloja of Epe at the Royal Palace of Oloja of Epe.

Hon Wale Raji flanked by party stalwarts addressed the gathering during the commissioning.

Hon Wale Raji, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and Epe Snr. Grammar School Principal, Mrs Oduwole.

Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila unveiling the commissioning of 100 Bed Capacity at Epe Grammar School.

Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila received the letter of endorsement for Hon Wale Raji from the Chairman of Epe Council of Obas & Chiefs, HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe Land alongside Aladeshonyin of the Odo-Noforija Kingdom and Elejinrin of Ejinrin Kingdom.