IGBOSCHOLARS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IGBO SCHOLARS FORUM, NIGERIA

This is a historical study that aims to explore the ethics supporting Igbo adoption of rule by the people. Rule by the people continue to be an acceptable, functional and non-abortive system where the people freely decide who controls the state affair. As a household political system, representatives are elected by the people, accountable to the people and can also be removed by the same people. This deepens the dignity of the people because the sovereign derives its legitimacy from the people whose rights are believed to be inalienable. As a system, rule by the people abrogates nepotism and tyranny and at the same time supports equality, rule of law, justice, and cooperation. As a feasible system of governance, several traditional groups of the world including the Igbo tribe of Eastern Nigeria acknowledge the value of this system. The Igbo call this system of government ‘Igweb?ike’ (though a colloquial), translated as the sovereignty accorded by the people. Though the system ethically supports equality, the study analysis ‘Igweb?ike” from the Igbo political perspectives. The findings reveal that the Igbo recognition of rule by the people demonstrates that development is achievable through collaborative efforts

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