By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Presidency has dismissed as false and misleading reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plans to change Nigeria’s name to the United States of Nigeria and abolish Sharia Law in the Northern region through constitutional amendments.
In a statement issued on Thursday, 21 May 2026, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the statement,Presidency described the viral report as fake news deliberately fabricated to create tension, trigger political unrest and destabilise the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement said the report, which allegedly relied on anonymous sources, falsely claimed that President Tinubu intended to forward a constitutional amendment bill, code-named “Project True Federation,” to the National Assembly by December 15, weeks before the elections.
According to the Presidency, there is no such plan before the Federal Government, insisting that the report was the handiwork of desperate politicians bent on causing disaffection and heating up the polity.
“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,” the statement read.
The Presidency further urged Nigerians to disregard the report entirely, describing those behind it as agents of destabilisation and merchants of disorder.
It also stressed that constitutional amendments are governed by strict legal procedures and cannot be carried out arbitrarily by the President or the National Assembly.
“Under our laws, constitutional changes and amendments are serious business that require legislative scrutiny, oversight and serious debate. The process of amending the constitution is not at the President’s or the National Assembly’s whim,” the statement added.
It explained that any constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, as well as the endorsement of at least 24 State Houses of Assembly before becoming law.
The Presidency maintained that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing economic reforms and delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians, rather than engaging in politically divisive agendas.
“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,” Onanuga stated.
The Presidency also cautioned Nigerians against spreading unverified and divisive information, warning that fake reports were likely to increase as political activities intensify ahead of the January 2027 general elections.
