The National Judicial Institute (NJI) has refuted social media claims that judges sang a political song in support of President Bola Tinubu during the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference.
The controversy arose on Tuesday when a video circulated showing judges standing as the tune “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand” played while the president approached the podium.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 19, the NJI described the video as misleading and clarified that the national anthem was the only song performed collectively by all participants at the ceremony, both at the start and end of the event.
“The attention of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) has been drawn to several misleading and inaccurate reports circulating on social media suggesting that Judges in attendance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference sang a political chorus (‘On Your Mandate We Shall Stand’) in allegiance to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
”This claim is entirely false, unfounded, and does not reflect the events that transpired at the ceremony,” the statement read.
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The NJI explained that the brief playing of “On Your Mandate” was performed solely by the Guards Brigade Band as part of its ceremonial duties to usher the president to the podium. Judges stood as a mark of respect for the office, not as a political gesture.
“For the avoidance of doubt: The National Anthem was the only song rendered collectively by all participants at both the commencement and conclusion of the Opening Ceremony.
“No Judge in attendance sang or chanted any political song at any point during the programme,” the NJI added.
The institute reaffirmed that the judiciary remains non-partisan, constitutionally neutral, and insulated from political activities or symbols of allegiance.
“The Judiciary remains strictly non-partisan, deeply committed to constitutional neutrality, and wholly insulated from political activities and symbols of political allegiance,” the statement concluded.