Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)

The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was the first political party to be formed after the ban on politics was lifted in September 1978. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the founder of the party which was an amalgam of various groups that were loyal to him. One of the groups was the Committee of - Friends, a circle of friends who had been actively involved in Chief Awolowo’s several political battles including the treason trial of 1962.

United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA)

Like the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA), the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) was formed in 1964. The parties that formed the alliance were the NCNC, Action Group, NEPU, UMBC and a number of other small parties. Dr. Michael Okpara of the NCNC and Premier of Eastern Region was the leader of UPGA. The party which claimed to have a progressive outlook was supposed to be a counterfoil to the NNA.