Reps debunk viral claim on plan to rename Nigeria

The House of Representatives has dismissed viral social media claims that an executive bill seeking to rename Nigeria as the “United States of Nigeria” is currently before the National Assembly.

In recent days, online posts alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu forwarded a proposal to lawmakers to change the country’s name and scrap Shariah criminal law in northern Nigeria. But the House has described the reports as entirely false.

Addressing journalists during the presentation of prioritised constitutional amendment bills, the House spokesperson and member of the Constitutional Review Committee, Akin Rotimi, firmly denied the existence of such legislation.

“I can confirm that there is no such executive bill before the House — none whatsoever,” Rotimi said.

He explained that the only proposals presently before lawmakers are 44 harmonised constitutional alteration bills jointly prepared with the Senate, under the leadership of Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, as part of the ongoing review process.

Rotimi also cleared the air on speculation surrounding a recent meeting between First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and legislators at the Presidential Villa, stating that the discussion focused exclusively on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, which the First Lady champions.

“Nothing about changing the country’s name was mentioned,” he reiterated.

The lawmaker further revealed that the Constitutional Review Committee initially received over 350 amendment requests, which were pruned to slightly above 40 to ensure a more streamlined and efficient process.