INEC mourns the tragic death of Ogun REC in an Abuja hotel

Out of Romanus UgwuAbuja

The The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed grief over the death of its Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State, Olaniyi Ijalaye, who died in Abuja.

The Ogun REC collapsed and died in his hotel room in after attending the Commission’s quarterly meeting with the RECs at its headquarters in Abuja yesterday to deliberate on the forthcoming special elections in Edo and Ondo States.

Ijalaye, who hails from Ondo, was appointed REC of Ogun State in March 2022 after his successor, Olusegun Agbaje, was transferred to Lagos.

In an official reaction to the tragic incident, the commission, in a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, expressed its deep condolences to his immediate family and prayed that God grant him eternal rest. Describing him as a man of integrity, who was hard working and conscientious, the statement read: “It is with deep sadness and a sense of loss that INEC announces the death of Mr. Olaniyi Ijalaye, the REC for Ogun State, on Monday, August 19, after attending the regular quarterly meeting of the commission in Abuja.