- Safiu Kehinde
The Presidency has debunked claims of alleged plan by President Bola Tinubu to rename Nigeria and abolish the Sharia law.
This is coming under the heels of reports alleging Tinubu’s plan to initiate constitutional amendment. under a bill named Project True Federation, that will see Nigeria’s name changed to the United States of Nigeria while also abolishing the Sharia Law in the Northern region.
Reacting to the reports in a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, refuted the claims, labelling the reports as fake.
Onanuga said the story, which cited anonymous sources, formed part of a broader plot aimed at creating disaffection, spreading fear and undermining public confidence in the government and democratic institutions.
“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.” He said.
While urging Nigerians to ignore the reports, the Presidential aide reiterated that Tinubu has no plan to initiate the change in the country’s name .
He maintained that constitutional changes are serious business that require legislative scrutiny, oversight and serious debate beyond the President’s and National Assembly’s authority.
“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.” He wrote
Onanuga held that Tinubu is focused on delivering more tangible dividends to Nigerians while urging them to be wary of consuming fake and divisive reports.
“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 2027.” He said.