In the Oyo empire, the Alaafin was

Analyze the question: It asks about the nature of the Alaafin's power in the Oyo Empire's political system.

Concept: Oyo had a system of checks and balances:

• The Alaafin was the political head and was seen as sacred, but he was not all-powerful.
• The Oyo Mesi, a council of seven senior nobles led by the Bashorun, advised the king and could check his powers. They also supervised the selection of a new Alaafin.
• The Ogboni cult acted as a religious and judicial check on the king.
• If the Oyo Mesi became dissatisfied with an Alaafin, the Bashorun could present him with an empty calabash or parrot's eggs. This was a symbolic demand that he commit suicide (abdicate).
• The Aremo (the king's eldest son) died with the king, which prevented dynastic abuse.

Evaluating the options:

• A. An absolute monarch: Incorrect. The Oyo Mesi and Ogboni limited his power, and he could be forced to abdicate.
• B. Popularly elected: Incorrect. He was chosen from the royal lineage by the Oyo Mesi, not by the general population.
• C. A constitutional monarch: Correct. His powers were limited by unwritten customs and institutions, and he ruled in consultation with the Oyo Mesi and the Ogboni. This matches the description of a constitutional monarchy.
• D. Worshipped as a deity: Incorrect. He was regarded as sacred, a representative of the gods (Ekeji Orisa, or "companion of the gods"), but he was not worshipped as a god.

Answer: The Alaafin was a constitutional monarch, so the answer is C.

Exam tip: If a question about Oyo has the words "absolute" and "constitutional" as options, remember the checks: Oyo Mesi + Bashorun + Ogboni + the empty calabash. Any power that can be checked and removed is not absolute. Also, "sacred" does not mean "worshipped as a deity."