ABUJA, Nigeria — The Presidency has dismissed as false a viral report claiming that President Bola Tinubu plans to rename Nigeria the “United States of Nigeria” and abolish Sharia law in the northern region through constitutional amendments.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the report as fake, misleading and politically motivated. He said the claims were designed to create tension, stir public distrust and heat up the polity ahead of the next general elections.
According to the Presidency, there is no plan by Tinubu to send any constitutional amendment bill to the National Assembly seeking to change the country’s name or alter the legal status of Sharia law in the North. The statement also rejected claims that the administration was preparing a proposal allegedly code-named “Project True Federation.”
“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,” Onanuga said.
He added that the report relied on anonymous sources and was part of what he called a dubious plot by desperate politicians to create disaffection across the country. The Presidency urged citizens to disregard the publication and avoid sharing unverified information capable of inflaming religious, ethnic or political tensions.
Onanuga stressed that constitutional amendments in Nigeria cannot be carried out by presidential directive or rumour. Any change to the Constitution requires a rigorous legislative process, including approval by the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
The Presidency said Tinubu remained focused on economic reforms and policies aimed at improving living conditions, rather than pursuing divisive constitutional changes. It said the administration would not be distracted by what it described as “agents of destabilisation and merchants of disorder.”
The clarification comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 elections, with misinformation increasingly circulating on social media and messaging platforms. Claims around religion, federal structure and national identity are especially sensitive in Nigeria, where constitutional debates often intersect with regional and faith-based concerns.
Sharia law has operated in parts of northern Nigeria for decades, particularly in states where it applies to Muslim personal law and, in some states, aspects of criminal law. Any proposal affecting its status would likely require broad constitutional debate and legislative approval.
For now, the Presidency says no such proposal exists and has advised Nigerians to treat the viral claim as fake news.
