President Muhammadu Buhari has nothing to do with the proposal for Nigeria’s change of name, the Presidency has said.
Recall that the House of Representatives’ Special Committee on Constitution Review on Wednesday received a proposal to change Nigeria’s name to the United African Republic or United Alkebulan Republic (meaning: United Mother of Mankind Republic).
Adeleye Jokotoye, a tax consultant, submitted the recommendationon to the committee at the South West Zonal Public Hearing in Lagos.
The move has attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians.
But presidential media aide, Bashir Ahmad, said his principal is not behind the proposal.
“It’s an individual or a group that submitted it. But a large number of people have already taken it to their head, accusing the President of something he absolutely no hand in,” he tweeted on Thursday.
While presenting the proposal on Wednesday, Jokotoye said Nigeria’s current name was an imposition of its past colonial masters and should be changed.
He said a change of name for the country would physically and psychologically reflect a new beginning.
“At this crossroads in our history, it is mandatory that we change our name to reflect a new beginning which will be ushered in with a new constitution,” he said.
Explaining why he chose United African Republic, Jokotoye said Nigeria is made up of hundreds of ethnic groups that need to be united.
