One of the duties of the legislature is to_______

1. Analyze the question The question asks for a duty of the legislature, which is one of the three arms of government (legislature, executive, judiciary).

2. Explain the concept Separation of powers divides government functions:

• Legislature: makes laws, represents the people, approves budgets, and oversees the executive.
• Executive: implements or enforces laws and runs the day-to-day administration.
• Judiciary: interprets laws and adjudicates (settles) disputes.

3. Evaluate each option

• A. Exercise oversight: Correct. The legislature monitors the executive through committee investigations, query sessions, budget scrutiny, and impeachment powers. In Nigeria, the National Assembly's oversight powers come from Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.
• B. Implement law: Wrong. This is the executive's duty.
• C. Promulgate decrees: Wrong. Decrees are issued by military governments, which fuse legislative and executive powers. A civilian legislature passes Acts or bills, not decrees.
• D. Adjudicate disputes: Wrong. This is the judiciary's duty.

4. Answer The correct option is A. Exercise oversight.

5. Exam tip Match each arm to its key verb:

• Legislature: Makes laws and oversees
• Executive: Executes laws
• Judiciary: Judges (interprets laws and settles disputes)

The word "decree" signals military rule, so it is rarely the right answer for a legislature question.