Question 7
(a) Identify three objectives of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the run up to the 1979 general elections.
(b) Highlight three factors that worked against the success of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
Observation
This was an unpopular question. Candidates that attempted it did not perform very well as they didn’t understand the demands of the question especially in the (b) part. The candidates were expected to explain the following points in order to score good marks.
- Provision of free health care services for all citizens.
- Provide and promote free education at all levels for all citizens.
- Full and gainful employment for all able-bodied citizens.
- Integrated rural development.
B
- Defection of key political personalities from the party.
- Mass defection of grassroots supporters of the party.
- There were a lot of internal crises within the party in some states e.g., Oyo and Ondo
- Factionalism within the party
- The party was mainly restricted in the Yoruba speaking areas of Nigeria. It was Regional base party.
- Succession crises among the followers of Chief Obafemi Awolowo as to who succeed him between Bola Ige and Alhaji Jakande,