During the pre-colonial period in Eastern Nigeria autocratic rule was made difficult by the

During the pre-colonial period in Eastern Nigeria, autocratic rule was made difficult by the absence of a system of centralized authority. Unlike in some other parts of Africa where there were powerful empires or kingdoms with centralized authority, Eastern Nigeria was made up of numerous small states and communities, each with their own rulers and systems of government. This made it difficult for any one ruler to assert total control over the region. In addition, there were various checks and balances in place to prevent any one ruler from becoming too powerful, including the activities of secret societies, the fear of detronement, and the demands of pressure groups. As a result, power was distributed among many different actors, making it difficult for any one person or group to dominate the political landscape.