United National Independence Party (Nigeria)
Encyclopedia
The United National Independence Party was a Nigerian political party
formed in the mid 1950s. It was made up of a group of N.C.N.C members who were opposed to some of the policies of Nnamdi Azikiwe
and had formed the National Independence Party. In 1954, the National Independence Party merged with Alvan Ikoku
's United National Party to form the United National Independence Party.
The party was one of the few prominent and fairly popular groups that emerged to challenge Azikiwe and N.C.N.C in the Eastern region of Nigeria. Before the formation of ite UNIP, the Eastern Region was free from political competition, unlike its counterparts in the West and North, which had formidable foes to contend with.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
formed in the mid 1950s. It was made up of a group of N.C.N.C members who were opposed to some of the policies of Nnamdi Azikiwe
Nnamdi Azikiwe
Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe , usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe and popularly known as "Zik", was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism who became the first President of Nigeria after Nigeria secured its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960; holding the...
and had formed the National Independence Party. In 1954, the National Independence Party merged with Alvan Ikoku
Alvan Ikoku
Alvan Ikoku was a Nigerian educator, statesman, activist and politician. Born on August 1, 1900 in Arochukwu, present day Abia State, he was educated at Government School and Hope Waddell College, Calabar. In 1920, he received his first teaching appointment with the Presbyterian Church of Scotland...
's United National Party to form the United National Independence Party.
The party was one of the few prominent and fairly popular groups that emerged to challenge Azikiwe and N.C.N.C in the Eastern region of Nigeria. Before the formation of ite UNIP, the Eastern Region was free from political competition, unlike its counterparts in the West and North, which had formidable foes to contend with.