…Says fake report aimed at creating political tension ahead of 2027
…This is a plot by ‘desperate politicians’ — Onanuga
The Presidency on Thursday dismissed reports alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plans to amend the Nigerian Constitution to rename the country the “United States of Nigeria” and abolish Sharia Law in the northern region.
The denial was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who described the viral publication as fake news deliberately crafted to generate tension, political anxiety, and instability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the statement, the report, which allegedly relied on anonymous sources, formed part of what the Presidency described as “a dubious plot by desperate politicians” seeking to provoke political crisis and overheat the polity as the election season approaches.
The statement read: “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.
“Nigerians should disregard the viral story entirely 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 matters requiring legislative scrutiny, oversight, and extensive debate. The process of amending the Constitution is neither at the President’s discretion nor that of the National Assembly alone. It requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and the concurrence of 24 State Houses of Assembly.
“President Tinubu remains focused on the demanding task of consolidating and deepening the economic reforms undertaken by his administration. He is committed to delivering more tangible dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“Nigerians should exercise caution regarding fake and divisive reports, which are expected to multiply as political campaigns gradually gather momentum ahead of the January 2027 general elections.”
The Presidency maintained that no proposal of such nature exists within the administration’s agenda and cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified claims capable of heightening political tension across the country.