THE PATTERN OF INTER GROUP RELATIONSHIP AMONG STATES AND PEOPLES OF PER-COLONIAL NIGERIA CAN BE UNDERSTOOD IN TERMS OF GEOGRAPHICAL, CULTURAL ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DIFFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
The critical analysis of the above assertion that the pattern of inter group relationship among states and peoples of pre-colonial Nigeria can be understood in terms of geographical, cultural economic and political differences can be discussed one after the other or in sequence with a view of this introductory note
Pre- colonial political system or inter group relationship among states and peoples of pre colonial Nigeria otherwise refers to as systems of government established and made use of by African societies before the ardent of colonialism. Generally the different ethnic nationalities of Africa had different forms of government , cultural difference, ecological, economics and political different basically, these forms are categorized by the following
a. Those whose power was not concentrated in any individual but in which the groups governed themselves like small republics.
b. Those based on rule by strongmen in which case here were elements of power concentration in individuals or ruling groups.
c. Mixture of chiefdoms and republican system where powers were sometimes concentrated and other times dispersed they were systems that were constantly changing.
Inter-Group Relationship Among Igbo Per Colonial Nigeria As Regard To Geographical, Economical, Ecological Cultural And Political Are Illustrated As Follows
The Igbo occupy the east and west of the lower Niger predominantly, the Igbos are found in Abia, Anambra Ebonyi , Enugu and Imo states. The can also be found in parts of delta, cross river and rivers states. Government in pre-colonial Igbo land was an attempt at direct democracy. It involved participation of all, male adults in the affairs of the society/ village. Leadership was provided by all these who distinguished themselves in their choosen areas of enderours. By so doing the system can be said to be achievement oriented. The Igbo are classified among states or accephalous societies in that there was diffusion of powers among different persons or groups. The basic political / social unit is Igbo land was Umunna which comprised group of families that traces their descent to a common ancestor.
The eldest direct descendant was the okpara who was in charged of the family as such, the intermediary between the living and the dead. He also carried out functions that boarder on inter-family relations, was the religious leader just as he performed judicial and economic roles.
The second political unit was the council of orders that normally comprised the Okparas from different families. It was the repsonsiblity of the councils of elders to settle disputes between and among lineages in practice, the Okparas who were heads of their resections families and who in turn comprised the council of elders, were mainly the eldest and often times the oldes tin their families, and because of the roles they played.
From the poltical point of view, the village was the largest unit of govnerment. It strengtherned participation in decision making and decisions taken had to be unanimous, thus ensuring govnerment by consents
Because of the village assembly usually had their meetings in places which both served as market place of worship and at the same time recreational avenues and because such meetings usually took palce under big protective trees, the pre colonial Igbos are said to have practiced tree shade democracy. In Igbo land age grade system was dominant and each has definite role to play
Igbo believed and relied much on oracles which provided spiritual staff action and plays a vital roles in political, social and economic activities
Therefore when compare to the culture of other ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Igbo was the most egalitarian, provided opportunities for citizens to achieve success as birth and old age were considered insufficient factors for high status.
INTER GROUP RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE NORTHERN PRE COLONIAL NIGERIA AS REGARD TO POLITICAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMICAL AND ECONOMICALLY ARE ILLUSTRATED AS FOLLOWS
Pre- colonial administration in the northern part of Nigeria was characterized by emirate system. The emirate system was the creation of Utman Dan Fodio following his successful exaction of the jihad. With the success came into existence the emporia which Uthman Dan Fodio divided into two sections, the east and the west, the east had its headquarters in Sokoto while the west has its won headquarters in Gwandu. Each of the emirates waas under an emir who in term appointed other subordinate emirs within his sphere of jurisdiction.
A local emir administered his emirate in line with Islamic principles and laws, could raise taxes, make laws and extract obedience and compliance from his subordinates.
POLITICAL SYSTEM OF EMIRATES
Each emirates was composed of districts. The Hakinis who where appointed to be in charge of the districts in turn appointed some village headmen to assist in the collection of taxes and maintain law and order, it was the “Haraji” (land tax ) and the “Jugh(cattle tax ) collected by the Hakinis and village heads that was used in running the system and it was upon part of these collections that the Hakimis and the village head depended.
LEGISLATIVE FUNCTIONS
The Sahara or Islamic law was supreme and were believed to be ordained by Allah.
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