GCEGovernmentPre-colonial Nigerian Political Systems2024

The concept of 'Warrant Chiefs' introduced by the British in Igboland was considered illegitimate because

AThe Igbo had always been ruled by hereditary monarchs who were bypassed
BIt conflicted with the traditional stateless and acephalous nature of Igbo societyCORRECT
CThe warrant chiefs were selected from rival ethnic groups
DBritish law prohibited the appointment of African chiefs
AI
Toaster Teacher
Why the answer is B, and why the others tempt you.
The Warrant Chief system was illegitimate in Igbo society because the Igbo had no tradition of centralised chieftaincy over large areas; authority was diffused among village councils, age grades, and title holders. The British misunderstood this acephalous structure and appointed individuals as 'chiefs,' who lacked traditional legitimacy. This misunderstanding eventually contributed to the Women's Riot (Aba Women's Riot) of 1929.
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