IGWEBUIKECRACY: THE IGBO-AFRICAN PARTICIPATORY SOCIOPOLITICAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE

Kanu Ikechukwu Anthony

Abstract


African traditional political systems are often categorized as monarchical or aristocratic, as such, as having no place for democracy. European and African political thinkers see democracy as a system of government that began in Greece and was imported from Europe to Africa. Contrary to this opinion, this piece argues that democracy is a cherished African value, which existed in pre-colonial Africa as a pattern of African administration. It was already in Africa before the encounter of Africa with the West, and thus, Africa cannot be understood as a passive recipient of democracy. Before the advent of the west to Africa, the Igbo-Africans of eastern Nigeria practiced Igwebuikecracy, an indigenous democratic government designed by the people for the people or themselves. It was system of governance that puts into consideration their peculiarities and particularities.

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