Ondo’s governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko preaches a relatively simple gospel these days and it is this – the impeachment of his former deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, is legal.

Mimiko, in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, on Sunday, was reacting to media reports which quoted the impeached deputy governor as being “illegally impeached.”

Olanusi was impeached last month by 22 out of 25 state lawmakers on alleged grounds of “gross misconduct” and Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo was sworn in as the new deputy governor.

The report also quoted Olanusi to have said that the administration of oath, during the swearing-in of Oluboyo was done by the Attorney General of the State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), instead of the Chief Judge, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, which according to him, made the exercise illegal.

However, the governor insisted that “the oath administration was conducted by the Chief Judge of the state in full public glare,” adding that the oath book was also signed by the new deputy governor and the Chief Judge, as the administering authority.

The governor noted that “the error of Olanusi is understandable as he was not present,” at the ceremony, adding that, “the state Attorney General only assisted the new deputy governor through the oath reading in the presence and under the watchful eye of the administering authority.”

While challenging the sacked deputy governor to defend his claim by producing the oath book bearing the Attorney General’s signature, the governor asked him to approach the court of his choice if he desired to fight on.

“Oath administration is conducted in public and there are usually witnesses and that of the new deputy governor was not in any way different,” Mimiko insisted.

The battle lines in Ondo’s continuing political tug of war seem clearly drawn.