The state government is composed of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, whose powers are vested by the Constitution in the Governor, the House of Assembly, and the High Court.
The governor is empowered by the Constitution to preside over the Executive Council, as well as to appoint, dismiss or reappoint its members–excluding the Deputy Governor–at will.
Led by a Speaker, the House of Assembly consists of 26 members, each elected to four-year terms in single-member constituencies by plurality.
Its primary responsibility is to create laws for the peace, order and effective government of the state.
These include the powers to approve budget estimates presented to it by the executive; to make laws establishing the chargeable rates and the procedure to be used in assessing and collecting the rates charged by each local government council; to confirm gubernatorial appointments, oversee and monitor activities of government agencies, review policy implementation strategies of the executive, and summon before it and question a commissioner about the conduct of his or her ministry, especially when the affairs of that ministry are under consideration; and to initiate impeachment proceeding in order to secure the removal of the Governor or Deputy Governor.
This branch of government explains and applies the laws by hearing and eventually making decisions on various legal cases.
It has a regulatory or supervisory body known as the Judicial Service Commission, which takes care of appointment, promotion and disciplinary issues of the judiciary.
At present, there are about 10 judicial divisions within the High Court of Justice, and about 26 judges carrying out their professional work.