Yunusa Tanko, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council spokesman in the 2023 general elections, has stated that Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi are both members of the Obedient Movement.

According to him, this is why the 2023 LP flag bearer, Peter Obi, is trying to mediate the issues between the duo.

Recall that Farotimi, who has been granted a ₦50 million bail, is in detention over alleged defamation of Babalola.

Obi had visited Babalola to ask the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to forgive Farotimi.

However, some people had berated the former Governor for visiting Babalola.

Speaking on the situation during an interview with Daily Sun, Tanko said those criticising Obi do not know what he stands for.

He argued that the former Governor hates an atmosphere of rancour and chaos.

According to him, “Mr Peter Obi, has waded into the issue and visited the key individuals, Chief Afe Babalola himself and Dele Farotimi and some other stakeholders. Of course, this is to show you how dedicated he is in the peaceful settlement of the issue at hand. He worked so hard on this and even sometimes, he didn’t even sleep just to make sure that the whole issue was brought under control, as it was almost taking different negative dimensions.

“Those criticising Peter Obi are those who don’t know his personality or what he stands for. In politics, there are moves that are germane to sustain peace. If you know, even Afe Babalola is one of us as Obidients and Farotimi has been a staunch member of Peter Obi support group.

“So, the question is, if your two children are fighting, will you choose a particular side or take side with one of them? This is particularly so when one of them is our elder. So, if you are wise, you have to make sure that the two different positions by the two parties are not taken to the extreme and I think that is what Mr Obi simply did.

“Like I said earlier, you will only criticise Peter Obi because you don’t know him or what he stands for. Peter Obi hates atmosphere of rancour and chaos which he has exemplified on several occasions. He mediated because he has to find a balance for his people and the people who so much believe in him.

“His Excellency has shown tremendous leadership for taking that stand to meditate between the two men. He went out of his way to meet people and said they had to find a way of settling that matter. Not everything was reported, but His Excellency ensured that the issue never escalated.”