INDIGENOUS DEMOCRATIC NORMS AND VALUES OF PRE-COLONIAL AFRICA: LESSONS FOR CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA

Timbee Akuul

Department of Political Science

Benue State University, Makurdi

e-mail: timbeeakuul@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

This paper examines indigenous democratic norms and values of pre-colonial African societies. It has been established that contrary to the western notion that democratic practice in Africa and indeed Nigeria is derived from western orientation, it is true that democratic norms and values were part and parcel of African indigenous socio-political systems long before the advent of colonialism. These democratic values such as popular will, popular participation, consultation/consensus, checks and balances, fair representation and accountability are democratic values that existed and were practised in pre-colonial African societies before they were undermined by colonialism. In order to sustain our present democratic system in Nigeria, these values and norms should be adopted and applied in order to strengthen democratic practice in the country.

Key words: Indigenous, Democracy, Values, Norms.