Reps Refute Claims of Bill to Rename Nigeria, Abolish Shariah Law

The House of Representatives has dismissed widespread online speculation suggesting that an executive bill proposing a change of Nigeria’s name to the “United States of Nigeria” is under consideration at the National Assembly.

In recent days, social media reports alleged that President Bola Tinubu had forwarded a proposal to lawmakers not only to rename the country but also to abolish Shariah criminal law in the northern region.

The House, however, has described the claims as false and misleading, stressing that no such legislation exists.

Clarifying the matter while addressing journalists during the presentation of the first batch of prioritised constitutional amendment bills, the House spokesperson and member of the Constitutional Review Committee, Akin Rotimi, categorically denied the reports.

The Ekiti State lawmaker said, “I can confirm that there is no such executive bill before the House. None whatsoever. And that is all I will say on that.”

Rotimi explained that the only constitutional matters currently before the parliament are harmonised amendment proposals jointly developed by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“There are 44 bills that have been jointly harmonised by both chambers. Because we operate a bicameral legislature, we have been working closely with our counterparts in the Senate, led by Senator Jibrin Barau, to ensure alignment,” he said.

He also addressed public speculation surrounding a recent meeting between First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and members of the National Assembly at the Presidential Villa, which some commentators had linked to the alleged name-change proposal.

According to Rotimi, the engagement was solely centred on the Reserved Seats for Women bill.

“I was at that event. The First Lady spoke extensively about the Reserved Seats Bill, which she is passionate about as a former lawmaker.

The Vice President, members of the Federal Executive Council, and other stakeholders were present to discuss that particular bill. Nothing about changing the country’s name was mentioned,” he stated.

Providing further insight into the ongoing constitutional review process, Rotimi disclosed that the committee initially received more than 350 amendment proposals from across the country, which were subsequently reduced to enhance efficiency.

“We started with more than 350 bills. At different stages, we reduced them to about 80, then to around 60, and now we have slightly over 40 proposals moving to the next phase,” he said.

The House urged the public to rely on official legislative communications and cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of causing unnecessary tension.