To ensure that good governance was not jeopardized in the Yoruba pre-colonial administration, the Oyomesi was checked by

Analyze the question: In the Oyo Empire, the Oyomesi (council of seven state councillors, headed by the Basorun) chose the Alaafin and could force him to commit suicide if he became tyrannical. The question asks which body or person checked the powers of the Oyomesi, so that good governance was preserved.

Concept: checks and balances in Oyo

• Alaafin: He was the king, but the Oyomesi could reject him by sending him a parrot's egg (awo), which told him to commit suicide.
• Oyomesi: They were the kingmakers and held legislative and advisory power. Their head was the Basorun.
• Are Ona Kakanfo: He was the military commander. He was usually posted far from the capital, and the Oyomesi could also act against him.
• Ogboni: This was a cult or society of influential elders, mostly based in the town. It had religious and judicial influence and acted as a check on the power of both the Oyomesi and the Alaafin. It could even restrain abuses by the Oyomesi.
• Agbaakin: He was a military leader and the Alaafin's lieutenant. He had no power to check the Oyomesi.
• Basorun: He was the head of the Oyomesi, so he was part of the body and could not check it.

Step-by-step reasoning

1. The Alaafin did hold some power over the Oyomesi, for example through appointments and his own prestige. However, the Oyomesi were the dominant check on him, and a king acting alone could not easily restrain them.
2. The Ogboni was the cult of respected elders. It had spiritual authority and was independent of the Oyomesi, so it could limit their excesses and prevent abuse of power.
3. The Basorun, Agbaakin, and Are Ona Kakanfo were either members of the system or military figures. None of them was an independent check on the Oyomesi.

Answer: The Ogboni, which is option E.

Tip: Remember the pattern for Oyo checks and balances: the Oyomesi check the Alaafin, and the Ogboni check the Oyomesi. In the exam, when you see "who checked the Oyomesi?", think "Ogboni."