RismadarVoice Reporters
May 22, 2026
The Presidency has dismissed as false and misleading a viral report alleging 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.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described the report as the handiwork of “desperate politicians” seeking to create tension and destabilise the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement clarified that President Tinubu has no intention of sponsoring any constitutional amendment under a purported “Project True Federation” or forwarding any related bill to the National Assembly by December 15.
It further stressed that claims circulating online and attributed to unnamed sources were entirely fabricated and should be disregarded by the public.
According to the Presidency, constitutional amendments are a rigorous legislative process that cannot be initiated unilaterally by the President, noting that such changes require broad legislative approval, including a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly and concurrence from at least 24 State Houses of Assembly.
The statement urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against misinformation, warning that fake and divisive narratives are likely to increase as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
It reaffirmed that President Tinubu remains focused on economic reforms and delivering tangible dividends of governance to Nigerians, rather than engaging in constitutional speculation.
“Nigerians should ignore the viral story in its entirety,” the statement said, adding that the administration will continue to prioritise stability, development and national unity.
The Presidency also called on citizens and media platforms to verify information before sharing, to prevent the spread of disinformation capable of undermining national peace.
