[1] PKNU was founded by ulemas affiliated by Nahdlatul Ulama who were disillusioned by the organisation's "political vehicle", National Awakening Party (PKB).

Some 17 ulemas, including future vice president Ma'ruf Amin and Abdullah Faqih of Langitan Pesantren, are the initiators of the new party.

The coalition agreement enabled PKNU cadres to participate in 2014 elections by hopping in PPP party list.

[8] Party chairperson Choirul Anam clarified that despite the coalition arrangement, PKNU had not fully merged with PPP.

In the legislative election held on 9 April 2009, support for the PKNU was higher than the party's national average in the following provinces: