Igbo pre-colonial political system of government. - SS2 Government Lesson Note
The Igbo people of pre-colonial Nigeria had a political system that was predominantly decentralized and organized around the extended family or village level. There was no centralized government or monarchy, and decision-making was mainly through consensus.
The Igbo people were organized into small village communities led by the eldest members of the community, who were known as the elders or the council of elders. The elders were responsible for maintaining law and order in the community, settling disputes, and making decisions concerning the welfare of the village.
In addition to the council of elders, there were also secret societies that played a significant role in the political system. These societies were made up of the initiated men of the community, and their roles included maintaining law and order, settling disputes, and making important decisions.
The Igbo political system was characterized by a strong sense of community and collective decision-making, with power and authority distributed among various levels of society. There was no centralized authority or monarch, and decisions were made through consensus-building and the involvement of the entire community.