Nigeria operates a three-tier system of government: Federal, State and Local. Each tier has its own executive and legislative branches to ensure the separation of powers.

At the local level, the legislative arm consists of elected Councillors. While the executive arm is headed by the Chairman, the legislative arm (the Council) is presided over by one of the councillors who is elected by their peers to serve as the Leader of the House (or Council Leader). The Leader coordinates the making of "bye-laws," which are the specific laws governing the local government area.