Barrister 'Niyi Ijalaye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Ogun State, has passed away. He reportedly collapsed and died in Abuja on Monday evening after attending a meeting of RECs at the Commission’s headquarters.
The cause of his death has not yet been determined. A source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared that Barrister Ijalaye had returned to his hotel room after the meeting before the tragic incident occurred. It was mentioned that the Ondo-born administrator, who appeared lively throughout the Commission's meeting, retired to his hotel in the Federal Capital Territory before passing away.
The meeting, according to INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, focused on the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as filling seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies. Prof. Yakubu's remarks were shared on the Commission's verified Facebook page.
During the meeting, Barrister Ijalaye was photographed wearing a blue striped kaftan and a red cap, as seen in images posted by the Commission. He had been assigned to Ogun State in March 2022, following the transfer of Olusegun Agbaje to Lagos State.
