Assembly when it was more or was taking the lead in the Nationalist Pressure Group (Momis, Kaputin and Giregire) who wanted to present the CPC Report as it is to become the Constitution and on one hand Somare and Pangu who wanted amendments such as dropping the Provincial Government system. This followed on with Melanesian Alliance Party under Fr. John Momis and the Mataungan Association taking a political party status with John Kaputin and Oscar Tammur on floor of Parliament. Despite the breakup, United Party contested the 1977 Elections and came with a majority of Members but Pangu formed a COalition with PPP, National Party, Melanesian Alliance and Mataungan against United/Country Party with Somare as Prime Minister. Country Party, United Party and National Party were seen as a Highlands dominated Party. To break that stronghold Somare appointed Paias Wingti as his Deputy Leader in 1982. Wingti then broke ranks with Pangu and with other Members including from United Party formed Peoples Democratic Movement in 1985. With the loss of Sir Tei Abal, Leader of United Party in 1987, leadership tussle came into play with Roy Evara, Anton Parao, Paul Torato and others. Gradually, the fortunes of United Party waned in 1992 and 1997 Elections. In 1997 Elections it had only one MP in Gabia Gagarimambu. In 2002, it had three MP's in Bire Kimisopa (Goroka), Bob Dadae (Kabwum) and Ben Kiagi (Daulo). The party went to the 2007 National Elections under leadership of Hon. Kimisopa but returned with two out of 109 seats in the 2007 General Elections. At the 2002 elections, the party won 3 seats in the 109-seat national parliament. The party leader for the 2002-2007 term was Bire Kimisopa, member for Goroka Open, in Eastern Highlands province. In the 2007 elections, the party won 2 seats in parliament. Kimisopa was replaced as party leader on 22 August 2007, having lost his seat. He was replaced as leader by Bob Dadae, member for Kabwum Open in Morobe Province. Dadae crossed to the People's National Congress in May 2012, stating that his people wanted him to be aligned with a major party. The party won one seat at the 2012 election, with Rimbink Pato winning Wapenamanda Open and assuming the United Party leadership. References External links United Party of Papua New Guinea official site Political parties in Papua New Guinea