Observation

The question required the candidates’ to identify five reasons for the failure of indirect rule in Eastern Nigeria. Their performance was fair. Candidates’ had ideas but discussed it as if they were simply asked to state the features of Igbo system of administration. Generally, candidates were expected to identify the following points in order to get good marks:

(i) Absence of a central authority.
(ii) The introduction of warrant chiefs which was alien to the people.
(iii) The high handedness of warrant chiefs.
(iv) Introduction of direct taxation.
(v) Non-inclusion of the educated elite.
(vi) Opposition of the educated elite to the policy.
(vii) Non-inclusion of the traditional council of elders.
(viii) The introduction of provincial courts manned by only British officials.
(ix) The high handedness of the British official.