Dr Frederick Fasehun

It is called the Unity Party of Nigeria, a name that re-ignited memories of another political party in Nigeria’s Second Republic, founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the pre-eminent Yoruba leader and Nigerian nationalist.

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday announced the registration of UPN.

In a statement signed by its Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC said the approval was granted in its April 17th 2014 meeting, and brings to 26 the political parties in Nigeria.

The statement read in part: “the commission at its meeting held on Thursday 17th April 2014 approved the registration of the UPN, the applicant having met the legal requirements for registration.”

UPN was floated by Dr. Frederick Fashehun, a factional leader of Odua Peoples Congress, OPC.

The Awo UPN won all the elections in the then south west states of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos in 1979. It also won Bendel State, and seats in Kwara, Kaduna and Taraba state, which was part of the old Gongola state. The Awolowo UPN had the second highest representation in both chambers of National Assembly.