The Presidency has dismissed reports claiming that President Bola Tinubu plans to amend the Constitution to rename Nigeria the “United States of Nigeria” and abolish Sharia law in the North, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Thursday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the viral report was fabricated by “desperate politicians” seeking to stir tension ahead of the next general elections.
According to the Presidency, there is no truth to allegations that the Tinubu administration intends to introduce a constitutional amendment bill allegedly code-named “Project True Federation.”
“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 read.
The statement further denied claims that the proposed bill would be sent to the National Assembly before the elections.
Onanuga stressed that constitutional amendments in Nigeria cannot be carried out unilaterally by the president, noting that the process requires broad legislative approval.
“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 said.
He explained that any constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly as well as approval from at least 24 State Houses of Assembly.
The Presidency added that Tinubu remains focused on economic reforms and governance rather than constitutional controversies.
It also urged Nigerians to be cautious of misinformation and divisive content as political activities intensify ahead of future elections.
