The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ogun State, Barrister Olaniyi Ijalaye, is dead.
Ijalaye died on Monday evening after he attended a meeting with other RECs at the INEC headquarters.
Ijalaye had returned to his hotel room when the tragic incident occurred.
The meeting, according to Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, focused on two off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, and seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.
The REC, an Indigene of Ondo State was said to have participated actively during the meeting and was in good spirit before the death later in the evening.
Ijalaye assumed the REC position in Ogun State in March 2022 following the transfer of his predecessor, Olusegun Agbaje, to Lagos State.
Meanwhile, Ogun Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, described the death of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Olaniyi Ijalaye, as devastating and a rude shock.
The late Ogun REC reportedly died Monday evening in Abuja after attending a meeting convened by the Commission at its headquarters.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, the governor also condoled INEC for the loss.
Abiodun described the late REC as an honest, committed, and cerebral public servant with a high level of humility and patriotism, as well as an exemplary, uncompromising nature.
He therefore prayed for the repose of his soul and the necessary fortitude for his immediate family, friends, and colleagues to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“I sympathise with the entire Ijalaye dynasty, the people, and the government of Ondo State on the passing of their great and illustrious son; indeed, Barrister Ijalaye was an exemplary figure of diligence, commitment, and honesty in public service.
“While his death came as a rude shock to us in Ogun State, we take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life of integrity and indelible impact; may God rest his soul and protect the family he left behind,” the statement read.
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