The fragmented nature of the Igbo pre-colonial political system qualified it to be described as

The pre-colonial Igbo political system is often described as acephalous in nature. This is because it lacked a centralized authority or head such as a king or chief, which is common in centralized political systems. Instead, the Igbo society was organized around individual communities or villages, each of which had its own set of rules and governance structures. These communities were largely independent and operated through a system of direct democracy.

In the Igbo culture, governance was conducted through a council of elders, age grades, and other traditional institutions. Decisions were made collectively, often through consensus, rather than by a single ruler. This decentralized and balanced approach to governance can also be described as fragmented because power and authority were spread out over various age groups and societal institutions, rather than being concentrated in one central figure or body.

Overall, the Igbo political system exemplified a grassroots and community-centered approach to decision-making, which allowed for a high degree of autonomy and flexibility within each village or community.