YORÙBÁ PRE COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEM IN NIGERIA.
- February 18, 2019
YORUBA TRADITIONAL POLITICAL SYSTEM
The pre colonial Yoruba political system was arguably one of the most politically advanced societies in the sub Sahara Africa. It had most of the features of the modern society. It was democratic to some extent and there was checks and balances against arbitrary use of power.
Yoruba pre-colonial administration was not highly centralized compared to Hausa/Fulani system. The reason being that the Oba is not an absolute ruler and there is the principle of checks and balance. Examples of Yoruba kingdoms include the Oyo kingdom, Ekiti parapò, Ijesha, Ẹ̀gbá Aláké kingdom, Ijebu, Abeokuta, etc. In this case, Oyo empire is normally being taken as case study.

Political Institutions of Yorubas K
(Using Oyo Empire as a case study).

The Oba:
This position is hereditary but in a case where the previous King had no male survivor, the husband of his eldest daughter may be crowned King. There have been one or two cases where the king had no survivor at all, in such cases, the next king would be appointed from his extended family. The Oba is the highest authority in Yoruba kingdom though not an absolute ruler. He is both political and spiritual head of the Oyo kingdom popularly known as Alaafin of Oyo. Also, the Oba must be the eldest son of deceased king and a member of the royal family. He is well respected by the subject and this explains why some have regarded him to be the ‘working companion of gods’ (Alase Igbakeji Orisa). only that, Oba can be addressed as ‘Kabiyesi- Ka bi o ko si’ (Nobody to challenge your authority), yet, there is the principle of checks and balanc. Oba can checked by other institutions like Oyomesi, Ogboni cult, warlords, etc. The argument is that Oba must always respect the views of the people in the society. This, perhaps made Yoruba kingdom to be more democratic. Oba ruled with the assistance of chiefs called Ijoye like Otun, Iyalode, Balogun, òsì and so on.
With these chiefs, Oba can exercise judicial, legislative and executive power particularly over serious cases like land dispute, crimes etc.

The Bashorun :
Bashorun is the prime minister in the kingdom and he is the most powerful person after the King
in empire. Because of the sacred nature of the Alaafin's kingship, he only appears in public three or four times in the whole year, therefore, it is Bashorun who appears in public on behalf of the King and pass whatever information the King has for the people. He serves as the bridge that connects the King and the people together thus, he wields a lot of political powers. There have been cases of some Bashoruns who became tyrannical and dictatorial. Example of this was Bashorun Gaa who used his position to kill many people, including his own father in law. Eventually, he was killed in a mysterious death that was orchestrated by the ogboni society. This is another prove of checks and balances in the empire.


Oyomesi:
Oyomesi can be regarded as king makers. They are prominent chiefs comprising seven notable individuals within the community. Specifically, Oyomesi are the institutions charged with the responsibility of appointing the king from a royal family. It is headed by Bashorun. However, the consent of the Oyomesi is required before any reasonable decision could be taken by Oba.
It is important to stress that the principle of checks and balance in Yoruba kingdom makes it possible for the Oyomesi to check the excesses of the king. For instance, the Oyomesi (kingmakers) may compel the king to open calabash (it is an order to commit suicide) if the king is dictatorial and arbitrary in rulling the people.

The Ogboni:
The Ogboni cults on the other hand is often regarded as secret cult because their activities are much hidden to the public. They perform rituals on behalf of the society, and also check the excesses of both the Oba abd king makers. The group of Ogboni therefore is headed by Oluawo.

Aare Ona Kakanfo: ( The Army Commander)
Esos or warlords is a group of people that provides adequate security in the Yoruba kingdom. They helped to protect the life and properties as well as preventing the community from both internal and external aggression. It is headed by ‘Aare Ona Kakanfo’ who provides military support to the king. He is abnormally powerful and that explains why he stays outside the community. More importantly, Aare Ona Kakanfo is expected to commit suicide if he losses any battle which means he must not be defeated at the war front. Nevertheless, he check the excesses of any institutions by withdrawing or neglecting military responsibility.

Yoruba pre-colonial systems, Oyo empire as case study was centralized though with the principle of checks and balance.

Functions of the Oyomesi in the Pre-Colonial Oyo Kingdom........ Read more here https://heavenoasis..com/2019/02/yoruba-pre-colonial-political-system-in.html