Tragedy struck the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday evening as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State, Niyi Ijalaye, slumped and died in his hotel room after a meeting at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Ijalaye, dressed in a blue-striped kaftan and a red cap, actively participated in discussions during the meeting presided over by INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu. The meeting focused on the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, as well as the seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.
A source within Ogun INEC, who spoke under anonymity, revealed that Ijalaye had returned to his hotel room after the meeting before the incident occurred.
Ijalaye was appointed as Ogun State’s REC in March 2022, following the transfer of his predecessor, Olusegun Agbaje, to Lagos State.
The commission is yet to issue a confirmation statement on the reported death of Ijalaye.
