Tragedy struck on Monday, August 19, 2024 evening as Barrister Niyi Ijalaye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State, collapsed and died shortly after attending a meeting at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, Nigeria.
The sudden death of Barrister Ijalaye, who was reportedly in good spirits during the meeting, has left colleagues and the electoral community in shock. According to an anonymous source cited by Channels TV, the REC had retired to his hotel room after the meeting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where he unexpectedly slumped and passed away.
The meeting, chaired by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was focused on the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as discussions on filling seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies. Prof. Yakubu later shared his thoughts on INEC’s verified Facebook page, accompanied by photos of Barrister Ijalaye, dressed in a blue-striped kaftan with a red cap, actively participating in the discussions.
As of now, the exact cause of Barrister Ijalaye’s death remains unknown, and further details are eagerly awaited by his colleagues and the public. Barrister Ijalaye, a native of Ondo State, was appointed as Ogun State REC in March 2022, following the transfer of his predecessor, Olusegun Agbaje, to Lagos State. His untimely demise has deeply affected the electoral community, who are mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant.
