Nigeria ex-ruler warns Obasanjo

Obasanjo has yet to say whether he would like to contest polls again

A former Nigerian military leader has warned President Olusegun Obasanjo not to change the constitution and stand for a third term in office.

The speech by General Yakubu Gowon received a standing ovation at a conference of central Nigerian leaders.

Mr Obasanjo has expressed his desire to retire to his farm when his mandate expires in 2007.

But there is increasing speculation in Nigeria that behind the scenes he is trying to secure a third term.

Divided nation

Correspondents say the ruling People's Democratic Party is deeply divided between those who would like Mr Obasanjo to remain in office and supporters of Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

The question of who should succeed Mr Obasanjo is also threatening to divide Nigeria along regional lines.

We have to avoid the tendency of leadership to prolong itself General Gowon

Both northern and southern leaders have held meetings and demanded that the next president should come from their respective areas.

Southern groups have threatened to seek more power for individual states if a northerner becomes the next president.

Mr Abubakar is from the north, while Mr Obasanjo is from the south.

However, southern ethnic groups have already cautioned Mr Obasanjo against trying to remain in power.

The BBC's Mannir Dan-Ali says the central region, or Middle-Belt, sees itself as a bridge between the two other areas.

"We have to avoid the tendency of leadership to prolong itself or overstaying its acceptability," said Gen Gowon, who ruled Nigeria from 1966 until 1975.

The US has also warned Mr Obasanjo not to change the constitution, prompting Nigerian officials to tell the US to mind its own business.

Nigeria's parliament is currently discussing proposed constitutional amendments which, if approved, could allow presidential third terms.

Any constitutional amendment needs to be approved by parliamentarians and two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states.