The pre-colonial society in Nigeria is regarded as a period in which the different kingdoms and chiefdoms ruled themselves before the coming of the British Colonial masters in 1860. prior this period, there were over 250 different ethnic groups in Nigeria of which the Hausa/Fulani, Ibo and Yoruba ethnic groups are the dominants, and each had it own political system. The Hausa/Fulani has a well organised structure with a sovereign ruler, the Ibo had a system akin to modern days democracy, while the Yoruba practiced a system with a semi sovereign ruler
The Hausa/Fulani Pre-Colonial Political System
Hausa/Fulani
pre-colonial political system can be credited to the Holy Jihad fought by
Uthman Danfodio in 1804. The system of government adopted was monarchical in
nature popularly regarded as a highly centralized method of administration. Not
only that, Hausa/Fulani has also been described as an Emirate system with Emirs
as the head of each emirate. Islamic law was adopted as the guiding principle
of the administration. More importantly, the Emir is an absolute ruler because
there is no principle of checks and balance as practiced by pre-colonial Yoruba
administration.
However, the main political institutions in pre-colonial Hausa/Fulani include
the paramount ruler (Emir), Emir’s ministers, District Head (Hakimi), the
village heads, ward heads and the Alkali court.
Emir is the head of an emirate, vested with legislative, executive and judicial power. He is an absolute ruler, supreme in decision making and whatsoever he ordered must be carried out, though with the tenet of Islamic laws called Sharia. Therefore, he was both the political and religious head because he ensures that the provisions of Sharia were adequately followed without any reservation. Emir’s court was the highest and final judicial body. The Emir has the right to levy tax and decision made can’t be changed by anybody.
The
Emir had an advisory council who helped in day to day administration of the
Emirate. These groups of people were popularly regarded as the Emir’s ministers
assigned to various offices for the purpose of administrative activities. They
were
Waziri: he was regarded as the senior official and head of
administration. He was in charge of all
ministries and carry out the day to day administrative responsibility on behalf
of the Emir. His titled was similar to that of the prime minister
Galadima: best known as the administrator of the capital of the emirate.
That is, he is in charge of Emir’s capital territory.
Madawaki/Madaki:
he was the commander of the Calvary (i.e. Commander of the Army). Specifically,
he is known as the Modern Day Chief of Army Staff.
Sarkin Dogari: he was the chief of police. In the contemporary world, he
is regarded as Inspector-General of Police (IG) whose responsibility is that of
security.
Maaji stands as treasurer in charge of treasury. That is, Maaji is in
charge of inancial activities just like the Governor of Central Bank.
Sarkin Ruwa: he was the officer in charge of fishing and river related activities. He organizes fishing festival under the jurisdiction of the Emir. Example, the Argungu Fishing Festival
Sarkin Pawa: is the head of butchers.
Sarkin Fada: on the other hand, is head of Emir’s workers.
Maaji: He was treasurer in charge or financial minister, what we now call minister of finance.
Sarkin Yari: in charge of prison, what we call nowadays comptroller general of prisons.
Alkali: He was Muslim judge who interpreted cases based on Sharia code
Sharia laws were administered by the appointed Islamic judges known as Alkahli headed by Chief Alkali or Grand Khadi.
The Hausa/Fulani pre-colonial administration is highly centralized and hierachical in nature. Also, there is no principle of checks and balance as compared to pre-colonial Yoruba system.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE SYSTEM
The Emirate:
The Caliphate was divided into emirates and each was headed by an Emir. He had the responsibility of making laws, enforcing them and maintaining peace and order in the Emirate. He was expected to administer the emirates in accordance with provision of the Islamic and Sharia laws. In fact, he was believed to have divine right to rule.
District Administration:
District head (Hakimi):
Each emirate was divided into districts for administrative convenience. An official known as Hakimi was usually appointed by the Emir to administer the district. He was also responsible for the collecetion of taxes Jangali (cattle tax) Kharaj( on land), Zakat( on properties) etc.
Village Heads (Dagaci): They were appointed by the Hakimi to help in the collection of taxes, e.g. cattle tax (Jangali) and for maintenance of law and order in the village. He also helped to maintain peace and order in the village administration.
Legislative Function: Islamic laws were the supreme laws of the emirates. The Emir had the capacity of making laws on matters which were not covered by Islamic laws.
Executive Function: The Emir was authoritarian and had absolute power. Even though he had a body of advisers, he could ignore or accept their advice.
Judicial Function: The Alkali court takes charge of judicial administration of the emirate under Islamic tenet called ‘Sharia’. This Sharia law is
Forms of taxation
To generate funds for the treasury, the following taxes were collected
Kharaj: it is the land tax based on annual yield or production
Jangali: it is a tax based on livestock or animals. It is a tax paid on Goats, Sheeps etc.
Jizya: it is tax levied on slaves, alien or strangers
Zakat: it is tax levied on properties to provide alms to the poor, needy widows etc
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