Abuja, Nigeria – The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun State, Barrister Niyi Ijalaye, has tragically passed away.
Reports indicate that Ijalaye suddenly slumped and died on Monday evening in Abuja, shortly after attending a meeting of RECs at the Commission’s headquarters. The cause of his death has not been officially disclosed.
The incident occurred in his hotel room at Bon Octagon Hotel in the Federal Capital Territory, where he had retired after a day of proceedings. Earlier in the day, Ijalaye, who hails from Ondo State, had participated in a meeting chaired by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The meeting focused on the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as discussions on filling seven vacant seats in the National and State Assemblies.
Witnesses noted that Barrister Ijalaye was in high spirits throughout the meeting, where he was seen wearing a blue-striped kaftan and a red cap, as captured in photos posted by the Commission.
Ijalaye had been serving as the REC for Ogun State since March 2022, following the transfer of his predecessor, Olusegun Agbaje, to Lagos State. As of now, INEC has not yet released an official statement regarding his sudden death.