Olaniyi Ijalaye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State, has passed away. Reports indicate that Ijalaye slumped and died on Monday evening in Abuja, shortly after attending a meeting with other Resident Electoral Commissioners at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters.
The tragic incident occurred after Ijalaye had returned to his hotel room following the meeting. According to Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, the meeting had focused on the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.
Ijalaye, who hailed from Ondo State, was reportedly in good spirits during the meeting and had actively participated in the discussions before his untimely death later in the evening.
Olaniyi Ijalaye assumed the position of Ogun State REC in March 2022 after his predecessor, Olusegun Agbaje, was transferred to Lagos State. His sudden death has come as a shock to the INEC community and those who knew him.
