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APC: As the pendulum swings from Osun to Lagos
APC: As the pendulum swings from Osun to Lagos
That the Nigerian voters are becoming increasingly politically savvy, in the choices of the candidates they trust is patently obvious. Performance of individuals, rather than political party patronage is a determining factor in who gets what. Those who doubt this assertion may have to take a critical look at the two recent elections held in Nigeria-the Senatorial one in Osun state and the just concluded local council polls in Lagos state.
For the former, Dr Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched the Senatorial seat to represent Osun West, in the July 8, 2017 bye-election. The post was made vacant by the sudden demise of his brother, late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke. It is on record that Aregbesola had promised to resign should Adeleke win. But when he saw the hand writing on the wall, he had to throw in the towel.
Sadly, the politician who has borne the toga of a progressive in words could not put that to action. “The people have spoken. Democracy has won and we respect the people’s choice”. That is the beauty of democracy. The people’s dreams, aspirations and choices, rather than that of a few power-poaching politicians always hold sway.
Expectedly, the candid opinion of seasoned political analysts is that if Aregbesola had performed creditably well and paid workers their salaries as at when due, as well as put solid infrastructure in place to bolster youth employment, his party, All Progressives Congress(APC) would have had a landslide victory. That is, just as it has recently played out, in Lagos state, the acclaimed Centre of Excellence.
Interestingly, it was a clean sweep for all the 57 chairmanship candidates of the APC in the July 22, 2017 local council elections in Lagos state. They were all declared winners by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) as they clearly defeated all their rivals, particularly from the PDP and Accord parties in the keenly contested election.
To underscore the significance of this electoral feat it should be remembered that during the last similar polls held over five years ago in the same state, APC lost some councillorship posts to the PDP. Also, in 2015 APC lost nine House of Representatives members to the PDP. Indeed, one honourable Kakoare won his election on the platform of the Accord Party (AP). The compelling question therefore, is to find out who, or what has made the difference?
The answer is Governor Akinwunmi Ambode! The young, humble, hardworking, visionary, resourceful leader has cautiously keyed his administration’s policies in tandem with the wishes of the good people of Lagos state. He knows, unlike some of his counterparts strewn all over the country that leadership is all about trust. That is the key element in every human relationship.
At every point of decision making since he assumed office over two years ago he reminds himself of the electoral promises he made during the 2015 campaigns. And he has gone ahead, through the Town Hall Meetings to reinforce the belief of the people in his government’s capacity and capability to deliver on their mandate rather than his.
He has therefore, excelled because he has kept an abiding faith with the promises he made to the people. Talk about the critical issues of security, infrastructural development, youth empowerment, job creation, tourism and the entertainment industry, Ambode’s Midas touch is there for all to see. And all because he is building bridges of trust, faith and loyalty with the people; to facilitate the common cause of good governance.
Said he:”This victory for us is nothing more than a confirmation of the trust that Lagosians have placed on the party.”Only that would explain the sweeping victory of the APC in an election conducted in an atmosphere of peace and harmony, in spite of the heavy rain. He noted that the party did not only emerge victorious for the chairmanship positions but also the councillorship, which is the closest to the people. That again, is democracy at work.
It should serve as a moral and political lesson not only to Aregbesola but other APC governors, that their performance rather than their belief in the name of the party would always get them the victory. Things have since changed iin Nigeria’s effervescent political landscape. The politicians may have their say but the people now have their way. As the pidgin English phrase goes, ”eyes don open! ”
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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