Ganiyu Dawodu

Ganiyu Olawale Dawodu // ⓘ (1935–2006) popularly known as G.O.D. in Lagos, was a Nigerian politician and democracy activist. He was a leading member of the National Democratic Coalition popularly known as NADECO in Nigeria during the reign of Sani Abacha. The coalition then was a puissant movement to free jailed politician M.K.O Abiola from prison, in the process, he was jailed for his pro Abiola stance.[1]

In 2000, he was in a battle of supremacy for the Lagos branch of the old Alliance for Democracy political party. He had opposed the emergence of Governor Tinubu in 1998-1999 and had supported the late Funsho Williams, Tinubu's opposition. Their differences spilled over into 2000, and by 2003, he left the party to the Progressives Action Coalition and was the Lagos gubernatorial candidate of the party.[2]

Dawodu was born in Lagos and attended Ansar Ud Deen, Elementary School, Okepopo, Lagos. He then attended Ahmadiya High School before going to St Gregory's College, Lagos.

During the Nigerian First Republic, he was a member of the Lagos city council and later became the chairman of the Lagos Town Council.


Early Life and Education

Chief Ganiyu Olawale Dawodu was born in 1935 in Lagos State, Nigeria. He attended Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Okepopo, Lagos, Ahmadiyya High School, Lagos, and later completed his secondary education at St. Gregory's College, Lagos.[3]


Career

Dawodu began his political career as a member of the Action Group (AG). He was a member of the All-Party Conference on the Nigerian Constitution in 1964 and served as Chairman of the Lagos City Council from 1965 to 1966. During the Second Nigerian Republic, he served as a commissioner in Lagos State from 1979 to 1983. He was also a member of the Committee of Friends and later joined Afenifere.[4][5]



Political career

Dawodu was a member of the Action Group (AG) during the First Republic and later joined the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). He was a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and served as Chairman of its Lagos State chapter from 1998 to 2000. He was also a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). In 2003, he contested the Lagos State governorship election as the candidate of the Progressives Action Congress (PAC).[6][7]




References

  1. ↑ "OPPOSITION TO FACE MURDER CHARGES", The Guardian (London), July 24, 1996.
  2. ↑ Aliyu Ma'aji. "Politics AD crisis: Tinubu fights Ganiyu Dawodu", Weekly Trust (Kaduna), October 6, 2000.
  3. ↑ Babah, Chinedu (2017-02-10). "DAWODU, Chief Ganiyu". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  4. ↑ Oladesu, Emmanuel. "Political families: Stepping into their fathers' shoes". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  5. ↑ Adollo, John J., ed. (1972). "Nigeria year book 1972:". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ↑ Nation, The. "How NADECO was formed, by Osoba". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  7. ↑ "HEROES OF DEMOCRACY – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 2026-07-16.
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