The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State, Barrister ‘Niyi Ijalaye, has passed away suddenly. 

Ijalaye, who served under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reportedly slumped and died on Monday evening in Abuja, shortly after attending a crucial meeting at the Commission’s headquarters.

According to a reliable source within Ogun INEC who requested anonymity, Barrister Ijalaye had returned to his hotel room in Abuja after the meeting when the tragic incident occurred. 

The source hinted that Ijalaye was  lodged at Bon Octagon Hotel in the Federal Capital Territory for the meeting .

 The source noted that the REC, who hailed from Ondo State, was in good spirits throughout the day’s proceedings before his untimely demise.

Galaxy TV News saw his picture taken during the meeting sitting beside other colleagues before the  incident.

Barrister Ijalaye, dressed in a blue striped kaftan and a red cap, actively participating in the discussions.

The meeting, presided over by INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, centered on the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as discussions on seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.

Both his pictures and some other texts delivered at the meeting   were posted on the INEC’s official Facebook page.

Ijalaye was appointed as Ogun State’s REC in March 2022, following the transfer of his predecessor, Olusegun Agbaje, to Lagos State. 

His sudden death has thrown the INEC Ogun office into disarray, with staff and officials struggling to come to terms with the loss.

Efforts to reach his Principal Administrative Officer, Dare Ajayi, and his Personal Assistant, Owolabi Taiwo, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

However, an official of the commission, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, stating that the news has already caused significant confusion and distress within the state headquarters.