President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed as false and misleading reports claiming he has a plan to change Nigeria’s name to the “United States of Nigeria” and abolish Sharia law in the northern region through constitutional amendments.…....
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
According to Onanuga, the viral report was fake news designed to create tension and destabilise the country ahead of the general elections.
“The Presidency wishes to inform Nigerians and state clearly that there is no truth to the viral fake story claiming that President Bola Tinubu seeks to carry out constitutional amendments that will change Nigeria’s name to the United States of Nigeria and abolish Sharia Law in the Northern region, among other claims,” the statement said.
According to Onanuga, the report was fabricated by “desperate politicians” seeking to stir political crisis and disaffection across the country.
“The story, which cited anonymous sources, is part of the dubious plot by some desperate politicians to create disaffection in our country, stir up a political crisis, and heat the polity ahead of the general elections,” the statement added.
The Presidency urged Nigerians to disregard the report entirely, describing those behind it as “agents of destabilisation and merchants of disorder.”
Onanuga also denied claims that the President intended to transmit a constitutional amendment bill allegedly code-named “Project True Federation” to the National Assembly.
“President Tinubu has no plan whatsoever to send any bill code-named Project True Federation to the National Assembly by December 15, a few weeks before the general election,” he stated.
He stressed that constitutional amendments in Nigeria follow a rigorous legal process involving the National Assembly and state legislatures.
“Under our laws, constitutional changes and amendments are serious business that require legislative scrutiny, oversight and serious debate.
“The process of amending the constitution is not at the President’s or the National Assembly’s whim. It is a task that requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and the concurrence of 24 State Houses of Assembly,” it added.
The presidential aide added that Tinubu remained focused on implementing economic reforms and delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.
“President Tinubu is focused on the arduous task of entrenching and deepening the economic reforms his administration has embarked upon. He is focused on delivering more tangible dividends to Nigerians,” the statement noted.
The Presidency further cautioned Nigerians against spreading divisive and unverified information as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
