Nigeria, Sept. 12 -- The former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said Nigeria is slowly becoming a failed, divided state, and the poverty capital of the world.

Mr Obasanjo who said he has never seen the country in such a bad state, blamed the current state of the country on poor management of the nation's diversity.

He made the statement in Abuja at a consultative dialogue attended by various socio-cultural groups including Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo and Pan Niger Delta Forum, Punch Newspaper reports.

While he warned against the call for war and secession, the former president said for Nigeria to successfully tackle its challenges, the problem of disunity must first be addressed.

"...