Presidency Denies Knowledge of Alleged Plan to Rename Nigeria, Restructure Federation

Presidency Denies Knowledge of Alleged Plan to Rename Nigeria, Restructure Federation

By Kparobo Ehvwubare

Abuja — The Presidency on Sunday distanced itself from reports circulating on social media alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is proposing a sweeping constitutional amendment to rename Nigeria the “United States of Nigeria,” abolish Sharia criminal law, and devolve major federal powers to the states.

The viral report, which claimed that a draft bill tagged Project True Federation had been concluded and would be transmitted to the National Assembly by December 15, suggested that the amendment would radically alter Nigeria’s federal structure. However, when contacted, presidential spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, declined to confirm the existence of such a document, stating that no official communication on such a proposal had been issued by the Presidency.

The report further alleged that the proposed amendment would prohibit criminal prosecution under religious law, restructure revenue allocation, and grant states control over policing, electricity, railways, prisons, and mineral resources. It also claimed that the proposals had triggered sharp reactions across regional, political, and religious lines. None of the organisations and individuals mentioned in the report, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), northern governors, and opposition leaders, had issued any formal statements confirming the positions attributed to them as of press time.

Legal and political analysts caution that any amendment of such magnitude would require a rigorous constitutional process, including passage by two-thirds of the National Assembly and approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly, in line with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). They warn that reports suggesting imminent implementation without broad stakeholder engagement should be treated with caution.

Meanwhile, social media has continued to buzz with debates over restructuring, fiscal federalism, and the role of Sharia in Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. The Presidency, however, urged the public to rely on information from verified government channels and established media organisations.

As of press time, there is no official bill before the National Assembly proposing a change of Nigeria’s name or the abolition of Sharia criminal law.