The premier of Solomon Islands' Guadalcanal province says he has already replaced five of the eight members of his executive who resigned earlier this week.
Stephen Panga says the group petitioned him to step down over issues of land mismanagement and misappropriation of funds.
Mr Panga says the members allege that in allocating ward funding to the process involved in drafting the new state constitution he acted inappropriately.
But Mr Panga says his executive backed him on that decision.
"In fact the work of the state constitution, it was fully endorsed by the executive. And it's not a new process, it's not a new programme. This is a programme which from day one on the demands of the people of Guadalcanal - one of the direct demands is a state government - they want to have a state government."
Stephen Panga says he expects to recruit a further three members to his new executive tomorrow.
