Presidency: No plot to rename Nigeria, abolish Sharia

The Nigerian Presidency has issued a strong rebuttal against a circulating report alleging that President Bola Tinubu intends to initiate constitutional amendments to rename Nigeria the “United States of Nigeria” and abolish Sharia law in the northern region. The Presidency unequivocally dismissed these claims as false, characterizing the report as a calculated act of political sabotage designed to inflame tensions and create a crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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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.

In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency asserted that the fabricated story, which cited anonymous sources, was the work of “desperate politicians” aiming to sow disaffection. Onanuga specifically refuted the claim that President Tinubu planned to submit a bill, code-named “Project True Federation,” to the National Assembly by December 15, 2026. The Presidency stressed that such constitutional changes are far from a simple presidential or legislative decision, requiring a rigorous process involving a two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers and the concurrence of 24 state Houses of Assembly.

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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.

The Presidency urged Nigerians to disregard the viral story entirely, labeling its purveyors as “agents of destabilisation and merchants of disorder.” It reiterated President Tinubu's focus on implementing economic reforms and delivering tangible dividends to the populace. As the nation approaches the election season, the Presidency cautioned citizens to be wary of fake and divisive reports, which are expected to proliferate, and to remain vigilant against attempts to undermine national stability.

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Under our laws, constitutional changes and amendments are serious business that require legislative scrutiny, oversight and serious debate.