20th August, 2024
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Ogun governor, Dapo Abiodun has described Barrister Niyi Ijalaye, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who suddenly died in Abuja on Monday evening as an honest, committed, and cerebral public servant with a high level of humility and patriotism, with exemplary, uncompromising nature.
Ijalaye reportedly died in his hotel room in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Ijalaye, a lawyer, had reportedly retired to his hotel room after a meeting of Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs with the chairman of INEC Mahmood Yakub at the Maitaima, Abuja headquarters of the Commission on Monday evening where he passed on.
It was gathered that the Ondo State born Ogun INEC REC actively participated in the meeting and did not show any sign of illness before he went back to his hotel room.
A post on the social media handle of proceeding at the meeting indicated that it was called to deliberate on the impeding two off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, and seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.
Ijalaye who was dressed in a blue striped Kaftan with a red cap was seen in one of the pictures posted by the commission on its timeline during the meeting addressed by the Chairman of the electoral commission.
Barrister Ijalaye was posted to Ogun State in March 2022.
INEC has not issued any statement on the death of the Ogun REC.
However, Gov Dapo Abiodun in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, commiserated with the bereaved family and INEC over the tragic loss of the Ogun INEC REC.
He described the death of Ijalaye as a rude shock while praying for the repose of his soul and the fortitude for his immediate family, friends, and colleagues to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“I sympathize 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.
