The traditional political rule in pre-colonial British West Africa was characterized by

The traditional political rule in pre-colonial British West Africa was characterized by rule by consent. In this system, power was exercised by traditional rulers who were chosen by the people and who ruled with the consent of the governed. This was a form of participatory democracy where the people had a say in who governed them and how they were governed. The traditional rulers were seen as custodians of the people's culture and traditions, and their role was to ensure that the customs and values of the people were preserved. The system was not perfect, but it was a reflection of the people's desire for self-determination and the preservation of their way of life.