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Nigeria’s presidency has dismissed a viral social media report claiming that President Bola Tinubu plans to change the country’s name to the United States of Nigeria and abolish Sharia law in the northern region.
The story, which cited anonymous sources, was part of a plot by “desperate politicians” to stir up a political crisis ahead of general elections, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Thursday.
“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,” Onanuga said.
According to the spokesperson, constitutional amendments and changes are not made on a whim but rather are serious matters that call for legislative oversight, scrutiny, and serious discussion.
“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 said.
Onanuga urged Nigerians to ignore the viral story, describing its purveyors as “agents of destabilisation and merchants of disorder.”
He said Tinubu remains focused on economic reforms and delivering “tangible dividends” to Nigerians.
The spokesman warned citizens to be wary of fake and divisive reports as political campaigns begin ahead of the January 2027 general elections.
“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.”
STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT
PRESIDENT TINUBU HAS NO PLAN TO CHANGE THE NAME OF NIGERIA AND ABOLISH SHARIA LAW IN THE NORTHERN REGION
The Presidency wishes to inform Nigerians and state clearly that there is no truth to the viral fake story claiming that President Bola Tinubu…
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) May 21, 2026
