INTRODUCTION

The maintenance of law and order in a society does not necessarily require centralized power as seen in Western democratic models, and this is evident in the Igbo political system. Among the various modes of governance, the Igbo indigenous democratic system embodied in the saying Igbo Enweghi Eze, provides a unique paradigm rooted in communal responsibility and decentralization of power, presenting a transformative process of collective action and discourse.

This article explores the Igbo political system, delving into its structure and principles not just out of cultural curiosity but with the aim of drawing lessons from the rich political structure of the Igbos, highlighting those things that make it a potential paradigm for a “people-centred” mode of governance.

EXPLICATION OF CONCEPTS

The axiom Igbo Enweghi Eze, literally means “the Igbo have no king” or what Afigbo (2001) defined as the “Ezelessness” of the Igbo people. It describes the Igbo political system which portrays an egalitarian, decentralized and republican democratic structure. There have been debates as to whether this expression truly replicates the lifestyle of the Igbos or if it was just a coined colonial terminology of failure; a maxim that gives room for expressions of regret as in the case of the name Igboamaeze (The Igbo have no regard for kings). The maxim, however, does not imply the non-existence of leadership positions such as chiefs in Igbo societies, it only points to the non-existence of a ruler that possesses absolute power. The Igbos are republican, but they have always had a leadership ensconced in “abridged or fettered” monarchy (Okoli, 2020). The Igbo peoples believe in and practice raw democracy (Nwalutu, 2018), this implies that no single member of a society can claim to possess absolute power, ensuring that the will of the people rather than the dictates of a singular ruler, prevailed.

According to Immanuel Kant, a true democracy is a system in which the citizens exercise their freedom under the rule of law, ensuring respect for all individuals. True democracy having as its fundamental criteria; freedom, rule of law, equality, participation, goes beyond pseudo- democracy, a democratic system where elections take place, but equality and full participation of citizens are not ensured.

DEMOCRACY IN IGBO POLITICS: STRUCTURE AND ESSENCE

The Igbo political democratic system can be dated back to the pre-colonial times. The leadership style of the Igbo can be seen as highly republican in nature, frowning at any supposition of the centralization of power, giving one man the power to control others drastically to his wills. This singular reason fans the maxim Igbo Enweghi Eze. The system operates a tiered structure where authority is shared among the village assembly (ama ala), council of elders (ndi ichie), lineage heads (okpara and umunna), age grades (otu ogbo), title holders (nze na ozo society), priests and oracles, and the women’s institutions (umuada). The masses are actively involved in decision making through these various groups. These institutions of the Igbo political system carried out a wide range of functions that were vital to the survival and stability of their communities. Law-making was entrusted to the village assembly, whose collective deliberations produced resolutions that guided social and political life. Because these laws were the outcome of communal consensus, obedience was generally voluntary and widespread. Conflict resolution was another central function, managed by elders, lineage heads, and priests who acted as mediators in disputes. In keeping with the Igbo preference for harmony, justice was primarily restorative, emphasizing reconciliation and the restoration of social balance rather than punitive measures (Isichei, 1976). Social control was further reinforced by age grades, which implemented assembly decisions, and by religious sanctions that discouraged antisocial behaviour and promoted conformity to communal norms.

The political structure also provided defence and security. Age grades organized young men to protect the village from external threats while also maintaining internal peace. Economic life was similarly regulated under this system. Land, the community’s most valuable resource, was held collectively and administered by lineage heads to ensure fairness and accessibility, while women’s market associations supervised trade and stabilized prices of goods. Above all, the Igbo political system was defined by a strong commitment to checks and balances. Authority was not placed on a single individual but distributed across multiple institutions. This diffusion of power not only prevented tyranny but also safeguarded the democratic essence of Igbo society (Nzimiro, 1972).

The essence of the Igbo indigenous democratic system has its roots in its decentralized structure, egalitarian principles and inclusivity, communal participation, accountability and transparency of those placed in charge. Concentration of power in the hands of a few was prevented due to this decentralized approach to governance that not only ensured that the voices of every member of the community were considered but also fostered checks and balances, flexibility and adaptability. Communities could adapt their governance structures to meet local needs and challenges without being constrained by the dictates of a central authority.

This system is egalitarian by its very nature in the sense that though in groups, all people are involved, fostering equality and fairness. They converge on the village square or any other meeting point to discuss matters affecting the society. Decisions are made together, and a management committee is formed to track the execution process more frequently than not (Ezeagwula, 2012). According to Okpalobi (2010), this level of community involvement not only made the governance system more responsive but also ensured that leaders remained accountable to the people. Leaders in the Igbo political system are accountable to the community; this can be said to determine the longevity of office. Lack of accountability and transparency on the side of the leader prompts forceful removal from office. According to Ajaegbu (2014), it was previously stated that a typical office leader’s longevity depends primarily on how much he is accountable to the public.

THE IGBO PARADIGM: A TRUE REPRESENTATION OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES

The credit of the invention of democracy has always been awarded to the Westerners. However, history has given proof that indigenous societies in Africa, had been living according to their own indigenous democratic system long before the advent of colonialism. Characterized by its decentralized structure, egalitarian principles and inclusivity, communal participation, accountability and transparency of those placed in charge, the Igbo democratic system stands out and serves as a model for true democracy, where all exercise their freedom under the rule of law and respect for all individuals are ensured.

At some point, challenges and setbacks emerge in organized systems of which the Igbo political system is not exempt. Whilst facing difficulties like challenges of decentralized leadership, polarization which hinders the progress of the common good and the complexities that come with collective decision making often driven by differing interests and ideologies, the Igbo democratic system portrays advantageous attributes ranging from decentralization of power to the inclusivity of all in decision-making, to the accountability and civic responsibility of all. These attributes are worthy of emulation if true democracy needs to be attained.

CONCLUSION

The Igbo political system embodies a unique African model of raw democracy that balances individual responsibility with the welfare of the community. The Igbo political model possesses strengths and weaknesses that if properly understood and the attributes emulated, Nigeria and other countries around the world can build a people-centred democracy that portrays their indigenous heritage while responding effectively to the demands of the contemporary times.


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Publications

African Herbal Medicine: Integrating Traditional Medicine into Global Health Care

Igbo Enweghi Eze: The Igbo Political Model as a Paradigm for True Democracy