Niyi Ijalaye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has passed away.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday evening, shortly after he attended a meeting of RECs at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to sources within the Ogun INEC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Ondo-born REC collapsed and died upon returning to his hotel room after the meeting.
Ijalaye, who was dressed in a blue-striped kaftan and a red cap, had been actively involved in all discussions during the meeting, which was chaired by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
The agenda of the meeting included preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, as well as discussions on filling seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.
Appointed as Ogun State’s REC in March 2022, following the transfer of his predecessor, Olusegun Agbaje, to Lagos State, Ijalaye had served in the role for over a year.
INEC has not yet issued an official statement confirming the death.
