Unity Party of Nigeria

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Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was a Nigerian political party that dominated western Nigeria during the second republic (1978–1983). Led by Obafemi Awolowo, it stood for social democracy and democratic socialism, and it promoted free education and welfare programs. The party traced its roots to the old Action Group and presented itself as a party for everyone. In the 1979 elections, UPN and the PRP offered a clear, democratic socialist program, avoiding cozy coalitions and focusing on like-minded allies. The military government’s push to create national parties weakened ethnic politics and curtailed UPN’s influence. The Action Congress of Nigeria later emerged as a natural successor to both the Action Group and the UPN.