The Presidency has dismissed as false reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plans to initiate constitutional amendments aimed at changing Nigeria’s name to the “United States of Nigeria” and abolishing Sharia law in the northern region.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the viral report as fake and politically motivated.
According to the statement, the story was fabricated by “desperate politicians” seeking to create tension and political instability ahead of the next general elections.
“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,” the statement read.
The Presidency said the report falsely alleged that the administration intended to forward a constitutional amendment bill, reportedly code-named “Project True Federation,” to the National Assembly before the elections.
Onanuga stressed that President Tinubu has no such plan, explaining that constitutional amendments in Nigeria follow a strict legal and legislative process that cannot be undertaken unilaterally by the president
“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 process of amending the constitution is not at the President’s or the National Assembly’s whim. 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 statement added.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu remains focused on economic reforms and governance rather than constitutional controversies, urging Nigerians to be cautious of misinformation and divisive content, especially as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.
“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.
“Nigerians should be wary of consuming fake and divisive reports, which will proliferate as the nation begins political campaigns,” the statement added.
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