The group that had the best egalitarian traditional political system is the

Analyze the question: "Egalitarian" means a system based on equality, where power is spread widely among people and not concentrated in one ruler. The question asks which Nigerian group had the most egalitarian traditional political system.

Explain the concept: Traditional Nigerian political systems fall into two broad types:

1. Centralized (monarchical or hierarchical): power rests with a king or emir, with a clear chain of command. • Hausa: Emirs under the Sarki, with a strong Islamic hierarchy (after the Jihad, the Sokoto Caliphate). • Yoruba: The Oba (e.g., the Alaafin of Oyo) with chiefs and councils such as the Oyo Mesi. • Edo: The Oba of Benin, a powerful monarch with palace chiefs (Uzama, etc.).

2. Decentralized (acephalous or stateless): no single king; authority is shared among age grades, lineage heads, village assemblies, and councils of elders. • Igbo: Decisions were made by the village assembly, the council of elders (Ndichie), title-holders (Ozo), age grades, and secret societies (such as Ekpe and Ogbazulobodo). Authority came largely from achievement and age, and any adult male could take part. Hence the saying "Igbo enwe eze" (the Igbo have no king).

Solution:

• Hausa, Yoruba, and Edo all had kings with strong, hierarchical authority, so they are not the best examples of egalitarianism.
• The Igbo system spread power across many groups and gave ordinary people a voice. Titles were earned by merit and wealth, not just inherited. This makes it the most egalitarian.

Answer: B. Igbo

Exam tip: Link the keywords: Igbo = egalitarian/republican/democratic/acephalous and Hausa, Yoruba, Edo = monarchical/centralized. When you see "egalitarian" or "no king" in a JAMB Government question on pre-colonial Nigeria, think Igbo.