The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) condemns in its entirety the brazen display of corporate intimidation by Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) its attempt to muzzle the press by arresting a journalist, Olurotimi Olawale, for simply doing his job.

In a statement jointly signed by the duo of Abdulrahman Aliagan and Rowland Olonishuwa; President and Secretary, respectively, the Guild highlighted that the recent arrest of its member, Olurotimi Olawale, is one of the miss recent attempt by the bank to gag the press.

“Today 20th of September, 2024, Olurotimi Olawale was arrested by security personnel, who simply identified themselves as police officers from Zone 2, for reportedly using a story deemed unfavourable to Guaranty Trust and its CEO, Segun Agbaje.

“This blatant attempt to stifle investigative journalism has drawn condemnation from media watchdogs, human rights groups, and concerned citizens.

“This is a disturbing trend that threatens the very fabric of our democracy as GTCO’s actions demonstrates a staggering disregard for the principles of press freedom.

“The incident raises serious questions about GTCO’s commitment to transparency and accountability. By silencing critics through coercion, the bank undermines the public’s right to information and perpetuates a culture of impunity.

“Olawale Olurotimi’s ordeal serves as a chilling reminder of the risks faced by journalists who dare to hold powerful individuals and institutions alike accountable. As Nigeria struggles to maintain its democratic credentials, GTCO’s actions are a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.

“Nigerians must demand greater accountability from corporate entities and safeguard the rights of journalists to report without fear of reprisal”, the Guild said.

There was tension at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the early hours of Sunday, forcing INEC to postpone the final collation of results for the Edo State governorship election to 11 a.m.

INEC made the announcement in the early hours of Sunday at its headquarters in Benin, the Edo State capital, which also serves as the final collation centre.

The announcement came after the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, held a four-hour meeting with INEC officials and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, at the INEC headquarters. Mr Mba is leading the police team to supervise the election.

The Edo governor was at the INEC headquarters to protest the collation process, which he and his party alleged had been compromised against them.

Premium Times

The Independent National Electoral Commission has uploaded 74.68 percent of the results of the Edo governorship election on its Result Viewing Portal.

The report from the portal on Saturday revealed that 3,375 results out of 4,519 polling units where elections were conducted in the state have been uploaded to the portal.

Check out some of the polling unit results released below:

Polling Unit 008, Ward 04, Esan West LGA

APC – 77
PDP – 59

PU15, Ward 1, Ewohimi, Esan south-east LGA, Edo state

APC 11
ADC 2
PDP 147

Accredited Voters: 165

Registered Voters: 230

Valid votes : 160

PU11, Ward 1, Ewohimi, Esan south-east, Edo state

APC: 38
APGA: 1
PDP: 201

Accredited Voters: 241

Registered Voters: 969

PU: 20

Open Space Osagiede Uzzi

Ward: Ogbe

LG: Oredo

APC: 38

Labour: 2

PDP: 105

University of Benin, Ekwhuan campus.

PU60, Ward 01,

Ogbe, Oredo LGA,
Edo state

APC 11

PDP 27

LP 05

Open Space Osagiede Uzzi

Ward: Ogbe

LG: Oredo

Edo State

APC: 8

Labour: 3

PDP: 35

University of Benin, Ekwhuan campus.

PU58, Ward 01,

Oredo LGA, Edo state.

APC 23
PDP 68
LP 09

University of Benin, Ekwhuan campus.

PU59, Ward 01,
Oredo LGA, Edo state.

APC 16
PDP 67
LP 09

University of Benin, Ekwhuan campus
PU62, Ward 01, Ogbe,

Oredo LGA, Edo state.

APC 13
PDP 19
LP 02

Olumide Akpata, Labour Party candidate, loses polling unit to Ighodalo

Location: PU11,

Ward 06,
Oredo LGA Results

PDP: 41
APC: 19
LP: 32

Obaseki wins polling unit

Location: PU19,
Ward 04,
Oredo LGA

PDP: 127
APC: 35
LP: 11

P:U – 007( Agbor/Ogbonka- Agbor Primary School)

RA: 03 (Ewatto)

LGA: Esan South-east

APC – 132

PDP -78

LP – 0

PDP’s Ighodalo wins polling unit

Ward 1 unit 3, Okaigben Ewohim.

PDP polled 200 votes.

APC 45 votes.

LP scored 0 vote

Etsako West:
Ward 10, PU 13

APC:119
PDP:113
APGA:1

Etsako West:
Ward 10, PU 17

APC:127
PDP:70
LP:3
0

Etsako West LGA:
Polling Unit: 01, Ward 10

APC: 403
PDP: 1
ADC: 1

Ward 10, PU 13,Etsako West

Ward 10, PU 13

APC:119
PDP:113
APGA:1

Etsako West:
Ward 10, PU 17

APC:127
PDP:70
LP:3
0

Etsako West LGA:
Polling Unit: 01, Ward 10

APC: 403
PDP: 1
ADC: 1

Ward 10, PU 13,Etsako West

APC:119
PDP:113
APGA:1

Ward 10:Unit 17, Etsako West.
APC:127
PDP:70
LP:3

Esan Central LGA:
Polling Unit: 001, Uwessan 1

APC: 102
PDP: 1
LP: 1

PU15, Ward 1, Ewohimi, Esan south-east, Edo state

APC: 11

ADC: 2

PDP: 147

PU19, Ward 04, Oredo LGA

PDP: 127
APC: 35
LP: 11

PU001, Uwessan 1, Esan Central LGA

APC: 102

PDP: 1

LP: 1

Edo decides: Early Result: PU002, Ward 08, Ovia South/West LGA

PDP: 62

APC: 165

LP: 05

COURT HALL,IMIAKHANA/IMIANOKO

Ward: OKPELLA I
Lga: ETSAKO EAST

APC 210
PDP 51
LP 04
#EdoDecides2024

Esan south-east LGA:
Polling Unit 11: Ward 01, Ewohimi

PDP 201
APC 38
APGA 1

Oredo LGA:
Polling Unit: 05. Ward 02, GRA/Etete

PDP: 58
APC 15
LP: 12

KK