The Arms of Government

Separation of Power:

Separation of powers, classification of government powers or the doctrine of check and balance is the division of government powers into three branches of legislative, judicial an executive powers, each to be exercised by a separate and independent arm of government as a preventive measure against abuse of power, which will occur if the three powers are exercised by the same person or group of people. Separation of powers is the division of powers and functions or duty of government among the three independent separate arms of government which are, the legislature, executive and judiciary, to act as a check and balance to one another and prevent the excesses and abuse of powers. Note, division of powers is the constitutional doctrine of the separation of powers of government into the three (3) branches, to protect the people against tyranny.

Under this constitutional doctrine, one branch of government should not encroach on the domain of another branch of government nor exercise the powers of another branch of government.

Three (3) arms of government are;

• EGISTURE > The law making arm of government
• XECUTIVE > The implementers of the law
• DICIARY > The interpreters and judges of the law