(a) State three (3) institutions in Yoruba Pre-colonial political system of administration.
(b) Explain four (4) checks and balances that existed in Yoruba Pre-colonial political system.
Explanation
(a) i. The Royalty (Afin)
ii. The Kingmakers (Oyomesi)
iii. Cult (Ogoni)
iv. The Osi Efa
v. The Oni Efa
vi. The Otun Efa
vii. Army (Are Onakakanfo)
(b) In the Yoruba precolonial system, checks and balances were integral to governance because it ensured accountability and prevented the abuse of power. The following were some of the checks and balances that were present in the Yoruba precolonial system:
1. Oath of Office:
Chiefs and rulers in Yoruba society were required to take oaths of office, pledging their loyalty and commitment to their duties and the welfare of their subjects. These oaths were serious and were believed to invoke spiritual or divine sanctions. The oath served as a moral and legal obligation, helping to ensure that chiefs acted in accordance with the established norms and values and therefore minimised the risk of corruption and misuse of power.
2. The Traditional Three Arms of Government (Oba/Oyomesi/Ogboni) Checked One Another:
The Oba: The traditional king or ruler. (executive)
The Oyomesi: A council of high chiefs who acted as advisors and were involved in major decisions, including the selection and dethronement of the Oba. (legislature)
The Ogboni: A powerful council with judicial and advisory functions, often tasked with enforcing traditional laws and maintaining social order. (judiciary)
These three arms of government had distinct roles but also checked each other. For example, the Oyomesi and Ogboni could challenge or question the actions of the Oba, and their combined authority ensured that no single body could unilaterally dominate the governance process.
3. Impeachment/Dethronement:
Chiefs and rulers could be impeached or dethroned if they were deemed to have failed in their duties or abused their power. The process for removing a ruler involved serious consultations and, in some cases, a formal decision by the Oyomesi or Ogboni. This served as a powerful check on the ruler’s power, ensuring that leaders remained accountable to the people and traditional institutions. When the Oyomesi decides that the Oba is no longer fit to rule, he will be sentenced to death by suicide.
4. The Oracle (Ifa) Made Predictions and Advised on Precautionary Measures:
The Oracle, particularly Ifa, played a significant role in Yoruba governance. It was used for divination to provide guidance on important decisions and to predict potential outcomes. The advice given by the Oracle was highly respected and often influenced major decisions and policies. This spiritual oversight provided an additional layer of accountability, as leaders were expected to heed the Oracle’s warnings and recommendations to avoid missteps and calamities.
5. An Occult Calabash (Igba-Iwa); To Checkmate Abuse of Power:
The Igba-Iwa was a traditional instrument used to monitor and check abuses of power. It was believed to hold spiritual significance and had the power to reveal misconduct or ethical breaches. The presence of such a symbolic object served as a deterrent against corruption and misuse of authority, as leaders knew that their actions could be exposed and judged by these spiritual means.