Government After Sunni Ali's death, his son succeeded him as a ruler. The leader of the revolt was a devout Muslim named Askia Muhammand. Askia Muhammand proved to be an excellent administrator, he set up an excellent tax system and chose axle officials. The Songhai Empire lacked on modern weapons. The Songhai was a succession of dynasties that spread through portions of the present day. The central government observed a patrimonial dynastic system (that is, through the male line of succession), in which the ruler served as head of state, head of government, and commander of the armed forces. An entourage including advisers religious leaders, security, and members of the imperial family attended the emperor and assisted in administrative tasks. The emperor had sole and final authority to enact law by decree, appoint government leaders, and create treaties with foreign states. he central government was divided into executive minsters with responsibilities for disseminating imperial through a system of administrator. The Songhai controlled numerous semi-autonomous vassal states of the empire's periphery.