President Bola Tinubu has denied having any plans to change the country’s name from Nigeria to the United States of Nigeria.
He also debunked rumours of abolishing sharia law in the northern part of the country.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the denials were contained in a statement on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, a news report, which cited anonymous sources, had claimed President Tinubu was planning constitutional amendments that would change Nigeria’s name to the United States of Nigeria and abolish Sharia Law in the Northern region, among other claims.
However, the presidency urged Nigerians to ignore such reports as it is simply a plan by some desperate politicians to stir up a political crisis and heat up the polity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onanuga reiterated that the process of amending the constitution is not at the President’s or the National Assembly’s whim, as it is a tedious process which requires a 2/3 majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and the concurrence of 24 State Houses of Assembly.
He added that Tinubu is focused on economic reforms and urged Nigerians to ignore fake stories.
“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 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.
“Nigerians should ignore the viral story in its entirety because the purveyors of the fake news are agents of destabilisation and merchants of disorder.
“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.
“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 2/3 majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and the concurrence of 24 State Houses of Assembly.
“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.
“Nigerians should be wary of consuming fake and divisive reports, which will proliferate as the nation begins political campaigns, a prelude to the general elections in January 2026,” the statement read.