Analysis: Obasanjo's big gamble

[gottaB]

There has been heated debate across Nigeria since a state of emergency was imposed in Plateau by President Olusegun Obasanjo after hundreds were killed in communal clashes in the region.

For now, the direct rule imposed by an ex-military officer on the central Plateau State has brought some peace.

But the reaction has once again highlighted the religious/ethnic divide which many say spells doom for the country.

The difficulty for Mr Obasanjo is that the situation in Plateau underlies a wider problem in Nigeria.

Obasanjo's big gamble....