Yar'Adua

ABUJA (Reuters):

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has suspended a multimillion-dollar scheme to build 774 clinics because the funding arrangement approved by his predecessor was illegal, local newspapers reported yesterday.

The suspension is a new example of Yar'Adua reversing decisions made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who stepped down on May 29. Obasanjo engineered the emergence of Yar'Adua as his successor and was suspected of trying to influence government through him.

The reversals, including last month's cancellation of the sale of two oil refineries to Obasanjo's business allies, have been interpreted as signals Yar'Adua is steering his own course independently of Obasanjo.