Pre- colonial administrators in Nigeria II

The Oyo kingdom was a vast empire divided into different provinces, is the popular and outstanding of all the empire or kingdom in the Yoruba land. The Oyo empires were able to influence issues in other areas like; Dehomey (republic of Benin), Ekiti, Ijebu, Ife etc.

Political structure /Organization

1. Political head: the Alafin was seen as the political head of the empire. He was chosen by Oyomesi (seven hereditary kingmakers of the empire). It was claimed that he can only appear three times a year in public and that was only during some historic festivals. The administration of the empire involved the Alafin, assited by the Aremo, the Basorun (prime minister) and the Oyomesi played a very key role in the administration.
2. The Aremo: he was the eldest son of the ruling Alafin but cannot succeed his father at his demise. He can only work or assist the father (Alafin) in the administration of the empire
3. The Oyomesi: also known as the council of chiefs, the leader was Bashorun. They are responsible for installing new Alafin, if the ruling one happens to die. They also work hand-in-hand with the Alafin in the administration of the empire
4. Provincial governors: (Baale or Oba) each province was administered by Ajele or Oba. They guarantee the payment of tribute and paying of homage to Oyo

Igbo political system

The igbo political system may be seen as a fragmented political system. Many institutions were in place and political authority was shared among them. For example, the Ofo title holders (council of elders), Ozo title holders, age grades

There was the absence of centralized of power and authority in Igbo political system is of direct participation (direct democracy)

Structure of the Igbo Political System

• Village administration: the Igbo political system was based on village as a political unit. A village is seen as inhabited by a group of related families and each family head held the Ofo title and all of them put together formed the council of elders. The council governed the village and at the village meetings, every adult is expected to participate, among the Ofo title holders, one of them was recognized as the most senior to the others and is referred to as the Okpara. The Okpara has the right to preside over the council of elders meetings where issue affecting the people were discussed and implemented.
• The age grade: these were young men that belongs to the age group and they performed the following functions

1. Administration i.e. they are involved in administrating duties in the village
2. They are involved in the performance of public duties such as clearing of paths, construction of roads, markets etc.
3. They equally served as the potential army for the defense of the village against external enemy
4. They act as the police force, for the maintenance of law and order
5. They also help in the implementation of policies made by council of elders.
6. Executive: this organ is performed by family heads
7. Leadership: succession to leadership position was not hereditary
8. Types of political system: the political system was more of a republican whereby decisions were reached by consensus different institutions played different but important roles

Functions of Traditional Rulers in the Pre-colonial systems

1. Law and order: they were involved in the maintenance of law and order in their domain.
2. Law making: they made laws, rules and regulations
3. Appointment: they appoint subordinate chiefs to help I the administration
4. Budget: the traditional rulers were involved in raising and spending of money
5. Symbol of unity: they served as political symbol of unity and power
6. Communal wealth: the traditional rulers were also involved in the allocation and sharing of communal wealth and resources including was booties

Comparison of the different Pre-colonial Administration in Nigeria (Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo)

HAUSA

This group was mostly in the north and the prominent language is Hausa. They practiced Islam, although Maguzawa, an animist religion, was also prominent in the area. They often had an emir or imam who was the main religious and political authority in the village. Because of this main authority, the British were able to rule using indirect rule. Essentially, they would have the emir rule for them. Because of this, the north had the least western influence of the three groups and even today the group is more Arab than Western in culture and traditions.

YORUBA

The Yoruba were found in the Western part of Nigeria and the prominent language was Yoruba, although there were several dialects. The were considered a very religious people. They believed in reincarnation, spirits, and the power of names. Each name is said to have special meaning and power over a person, and there was a very intricate naming ceremony. Like many African ethnic groups, the tribe as a community was extremely important concept in daily lives. They had a very intricate legal system called Yoruba Law, in which the family was the first level of government, then the clan or extended family, then the village chief, who was subject to the Oba. This system of government in which everyone is sort of held responsible by everyone else meant that the system of indirect rule would not have worked in Yorubaland. The British instead used direct rule, where they sent their own governors in to enforce British law.

IGBO

They were very religious, and believed in spirits, multiple gods, and oracles. Reincarnation was widely accepted. Of the three groups, the Igbo were the most fragmented before colonization. The Igbo dialects were extremely different from each other from one town to the next, and political structures varied as well. They are the most village-oriented of the three groups, and were often ruled by a chief and/or council of elders. Because of the differences in language and political structure, the British really forced English and Western traditions on this group more than the others (to make it easier for themselves). This resulted in a lot of uprisings from the Igbo people, which were dealt with harshly.

Exercises

1. Identify any three functions of the Oyomesi in the pre-colonial Yoruba political system.
2. Highlight any three reasons to show that the pre-colonial  government in Yorubaland was democratic.
3. Why is the igbo political system seen as a fragmented political system?
4. Outline the important features of the pre-colonial Igbo Political System.
5. Enumerate the functions of Traditional Rulers in the pre-colonial systems