The Presidency has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that President Bola Tinubu is planning to rename Nigeria and abolish Sharia law in parts of the country.
The report, which first surfaced online in 2025, claimed that the President intended to pursue a constitutional amendment to change the country’s name to “United States of Nigeria” and introduce major alterations to the legal structure in northern Nigeria.
Reacting to the claims, Bayo Onanuga described the report as false and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Onanuga said there was no plan by the administration to forward any bill to the National Assembly seeking a change of the country’s name or the abolition of Sharia law.
According to him, the report was designed to create division and heighten political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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 said.
The Presidency maintained that the claims were baseless and urged Nigerians to disregard misinformation and verify reports before sharing them.
