CITIZENS COMPASS—Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, mourned the passing away of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Ogun State, Barrister Niyi Ijalaye who reportedly slumped and died on Monday evening.
He was said to have died after a meeting of RECs at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to official Facebook page of the Commission, its Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said the meeting focused on the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, and seven vacant positions in the national and state assemblies.
Barrister Ijalaye who was dressed in blue striped Kaftan with a red cap was seen on one of the pictures posted by the Commission on its timeline, during the meeting.
Abiodun in a statement commiserated with the family of the late Barrister Ijalaye.
The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, also condoled INEC for the loss, saying Ijalaye’s death came to him as a rude shock.
He described the late REC as a honest, committed, and cerebral public servant with a high level of humility and patriotism, as well as an exemplary, uncompromising nature.
The Governor 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.”
Barrister Ijalaye was posted to Ogun State in March 2022 following the transfer of Olusegun Agbaje to Lagos State.
