INEC REC Collapses, Dies After Abuja Meeting

Olaniyi Ijalaye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State, has passed away. The incident occurred on Monday evening in Abuja, shortly after Ijalaye attended a meeting with fellow RECs at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters.

Ijalaye, who had returned to his hotel room following the meeting, reportedly collapsed and died. The meeting, chaired by INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, was focused on two upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.

Despite being in high spirits and actively participating in the meeting, Ijalaye’s sudden demise came as a shock. He had held the REC position in Ogun State since March 2022, succeeding Olusegun Agbaje, who was transferred to Lagos State.