EDITOR’S PICK
- Fresh Details Emerge on Death of Odomola Monarch, Oba Adebowale Adeshina
- Sanwo-Olu Applauds LASU’s Academic Excellence After JAMB Ranking
- NRC Moves 176,820 Tonnes Of Cargo Through Lagos Ports In Q1
For many residents across Epe, Eredo, and Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, the result is more than a political win. It is viewed as a victory for continuity, experience, influence, and sustained development.
Across the constituency, supporters believe the primary outcome reflects the confidence many party faithful and grassroots stakeholders still have in the lawmaker’s leadership and representation.
Growing Influence in Abuja
One of the strongest arguments behind the push for Wale Raji’s return to the House of Representatives is the level of experience and influence he has built over the years in the National Assembly.
As a ranking legislator with several years of parliamentary experience, many political observers believe another term would place him in a stronger position to emerge as a principal officer in the House of Representatives.
This is considered highly important because principal officers in the National Assembly often play critical roles in budget negotiations, committee leadership, constituency interventions, and federal project allocations.
For Epe Federal Constituency, such a position could attract:
- More federal roads and infrastructural projects
- Increased educational interventions
- Expanded healthcare facilities
- Youth empowerment opportunities
- Agricultural development support
- Greater employment and training programmes
- Increased federal visibility and political relevance
Many stakeholders within the constituency believe this is not the time to lose legislative seniority and federal influence already built over the years.
Support for Wale Raji has largely been driven by visible projects spread across Epe Federal Constituency.
Unlike representation built only on political promises, many residents point to physical projects and interventions already impacting lives across communities.
Some of the projects facilitated under his representation include:
- Installation of over 2,000 solar-powered streetlights across communities
- Construction and rehabilitation of schools and classroom blocks
- The ongoing massive educational infrastructure projects including Pobuna Secondary School
- Facilitation of the Veterinary Hospital at T-Junction
- Transformation of the abandoned Federal Grain Reserve in Poka into a Model Livestock Market
- Construction of modern market stalls and distribution of 400 shops at Ayetoro Market
- Healthcare interventions and support facilities
- Road rehabilitation projects
- Youth and women empowerment programmes
- Scholarships and educational support initiatives
- Agricultural and livestock development programmes
For many constituents, these projects have helped strengthen the belief that continuity would ensure more development across Epe Division.
A Public Servant Before Politics
Long before entering elective politics, Wale Raji had already built a strong career within the Lagos State Public Service.
He served as a Permanent Secretary in Lagos State, where he gained extensive administrative and governance experience.
Many political observers believe this background contributed greatly to his practical understanding of governance, budgeting, project management, and grassroots administration.
His years within the civil service are often cited by supporters as one of the reasons his constituency projects appear structured, impactful, and people-focused.
Another reason many residents continue to support the lawmaker is his accessibility and grassroots relationship with the people.
From traditional institutions and religious bodies to market associations, youth groups, artisans, transport unions, farmers, and vulnerable residents, many stakeholders believe Wale Raji has maintained consistent engagement with the grassroots over the years.
His supporters argue that representation is not only about speaking on the floor of the National Assembly but also about remaining connected to the people and understanding their daily realities.
Continuity or Disruption?
Across Epe Federal Constituency, many residents now see the primary election outcome as a decision between continuity and disruption.
Supporters argue that replacing an experienced lawmaker at a period when he is approaching greater influence in Abuja may slow down ongoing projects and reduce federal opportunities coming to the constituency.
For them, continuity remains the surest path toward consolidating existing developmental gains while opening doors to even bigger opportunities at the federal level.
Although the official announcement is still being awaited, the atmosphere across many communities already reflects growing optimism among supporters who believe the constituency has once again chosen experience, development, and strategic representation.
And for many residents, the expectation remains clear, that the next phase of representation should not only sustain ongoing projects but also elevate Epe Federal Constituency to greater political relevance and development at the national level.
