Activist Omoyele Sowore said the road blockades that prevented his fellow presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from entering Benue State were state-sponsored.

MyNigeria reported that on Tuesday, some youths blocked roads in protest against Obi and his entourage.

Reacting, Obi lamented that "somebody sits in office and allows such to happen. Go and ask anybody; I was Governor of Anambra State; this should not happen.

"I have been standing here expecting that they should have heard what is happening. I have been standing here for a while now, thinking they will come to their senses.

"As Nigerians, we should not allow this rascality. Over 200 people have been killed in this community; it's a planned visit, it's not in secret. These youths who are being used to do this do not know the system will take revenge against them tomorrow. These people are hungry, they are insecure and are people we need to pull out of poverty. I understand the youths are being led by the SA to the Governor and have blocked the road to prevent me from going there."

Also reacting, Sowore stated on X that he watched videos showing what appears to be a state-sponsored blockade and attack on NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi as he attempted to enter the state capital to carry out legitimate campaign activities.

"I strongly condemn these acts of political brigandage by agents of the state government and the Tinubu regime. This is totally unacceptable.

"No candidate should be prevented through violence, intimidation or state-sponsored thuggery from campaigning freely anywhere in Nigeria. Those behind these cowardly attacks are toying with fire and threatening the democratic rights of all Nigerians.

"They must desist immediately before it is too late," he said.

ASA