The Igbo political system was based on

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks about the basis of the traditional Igbo political system. Igbo society was largely acephalous (stateless, with no central king), so power was spread across many groups.

Step 2: Explain the concept Traditional Igbo political organisation was built from the bottom up:

• Family (nuclear/extended): the smallest unit, headed by the father (Okpara/eldest male).
• Umunna (the patrilineage or kindred): a group of families descended from a common ancestor. It handled disputes, land matters, and social control, and it formed the basic unit of political decision-making.
• Village and village group: made up of several Umunna. Decisions were made by consensus in the village assembly (Oha-na-eze or Ama-ala).
• Other institutions: age grades (carried out public works, defence, and law enforcement), Ozo title holders, Ndichie elders, the Oracle, and secret societies such as Ekpe/Ogbo.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Age Grades: They were important for executing communal duties (policing, road building, defence), but they were instruments of administration, not the foundation of the system.
• B. Umunna: This was the foundational political unit. Authority and decision-making flowed through the kindred and lineage heads.
• C. Family ties: This is a general idea. It is related, but the specific, recognised political structure is the Umunna.
• D. Umuada: This is the association of daughters of the lineage. It settled disputes and handled women's and family matters, but it was not the basis of the political system.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is **B.

Tip: For Igbo politics, remember the order Family → Umunna → Village → Village group. When asked what the system was "based on," pick the lineage group (Umunna). Age grades are the "workers," and Umuada are the "daughters' council."