The leader of the Oyo Mesi in the Yoruba pre-colonial political system was

Analyze the question: The question asks who led the Oyo Mesi, the council of seven state counsellors in the Oyo Empire's political system.

Explain the concept: In the pre-colonial Oyo Empire, power was shared between two main bodies:

• The Alaafin (Oba): the political and spiritual head of the empire.
• The Oyo Mesi: a council of seven prominent chiefs who represented the people and checked the Alaafin's power. They also chose the Alaafin and could force him to commit ritual suicide if he became tyrannical.

Key offices:

• Bashorun: the head (leader) of the Oyo Mesi. He was also the prime minister, and he led the Oyo Mesi in the ritual that decided whether the Alaafin should "go to sleep" (die).
• Aremo: the Alaafin's eldest son, who was not allowed to succeed his father.
• Baale: the head of a village or town, a title used in smaller settlements.
• Oba: a general title for a king. In Oyo, the Alaafin was the Oba, but he was not the leader of the Oyo Mesi. The Oyo Mesi stood as a counterweight to him.

Solution:

• A. Aremo: the Alaafin's son, so wrong.
• B. Oba: the king, not the leader of the council that checked him, so wrong.
• C. Bashorun: the head of the Oyo Mesi, so correct.
• D. Baale: a village head, so wrong.

Tip: Remember "Bashorun = Boss of the Oyo Mesi", both starting with B. Also remember that the Ogboni cult was a separate body and acted as a further check on the Alaafin.