The Federal Government has dismissed as false and misleading reports alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is planning constitutional amendments to rename Nigeria the “United States of Nigeria” and abolish Sharia Law in the northern region.
The clarification was contained in a State House press statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the government, the viral report, which relied on anonymous sources, was fabricated to incite political tension and create disaffection ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The Federal Government 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 said.
The persistent described the report as part of a coordinated attempt by “desperate politicians” to destabilise the polity and undermine public confidence.
“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,” Onanuga stated.
It urged Nigerians to disregard the claims entirely, warning against the spread of divisive misinformation during the political season.
“Nigerians should ignore the viral story in its entirety because the purveyors of the fake news are agents of destabilisation and merchants of disorder,” the statement added.
The government also denied claims that President Tinubu intends to transmit a proposed constitutional amendment bill allegedly codenamed “Project True Federation” to the National Assembly before the elections.
“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 statement noted.
Emphasising the constitutional process required for any amendment, the Federal Government stated that constitutional changes involve extensive legislative procedures and broad national consensus.
“Under our laws, constitutional changes and amendments are serious business that require legislative scrutiny, oversight and serious debate,” the statement said.
“It is a task that requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and the concurrence of 24 State Houses of Assembly.”
The government maintained that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing economic reforms and delivering improved living conditions for Nigerians.
“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,” the statement added.
The Federal Government further advised Nigerians to remain vigilant and verify information from credible sources as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.
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