The National Judicial Institute (NJI) has categorically dismissed circulating social media allegations that superior court judges collectively sang the pro-Tinubu anthem “On Your Mandate” during the opening ceremony of the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference, describing the reports as “misleading, confusing, and entirely false.”
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In an exclusive interview on Arise TV’s Night News on Wednesday, Kolade Umoru, Head of Information, Media, and Public Relations for the NJI, clarified that the only song rendered collectively by attendees was the national anthem sung twice during the event. He attributed the brief playing of “On Your Mandate” to standard military protocol by the Guards Brigade Band, not any judicial endorsement or participation. Umoru emphasized the judiciary’s constitutional neutrality, urging the public to verify information before dissemination to prevent erosion of trust in national institutions.
The controversy erupted shortly after President Bola Tinubu declared open the annual conference for superior courts at the NJI’s auditorium in Abuja, which drew no fewer than 950 judges. Viral videos and posts, amplified by figures like Prof. Chidi Odinkalu former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission accused the judges of demonstrating political allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) by leading the song. Odinkalu’s remarks, which gained widespread traction online, claimed the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and senior judges had “officially demised to the APC.”
Umoru, who was present in the auditorium, provided a detailed timeline to debunk the claims, underscoring the event’s strict protocols and the separation of roles.
“For every official social engagement where the President will be in attendance, there must be a mark of a high level of respect,” Umoru explained. Security measures included mandatory tagging for entry, with the Guards Brigade Band pre-positioned in a cordoned-off gallery section no one, including organizers, could access or instruct them once stationed.
The ceremony unfolded as follows:
- President Tinubu arrived, and the national anthem was sung collectively by all attendees, including the judges.
- The President took his seat.
- The NJI Administrator delivered a brief welcome address and invited the CJN, who also serves as Chairman of the NJI, to read her address and formally welcome the President.
- As the President rose from his seat to approach the podium, the Guards Brigade Band played “On Your Mandate” briefly a tradition to honor him as Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C).
- The President then delivered his address, exhorting judges to “uphold integrity and resist justice for sale,” before declaring the conference open.
- A second national anthem was sung to conclude the formalities.
Umoru stressed that the band operated independently: “The brigades have their own tradition to welcome Mr. President… It was entirely their own business.” He reiterated that “there was never a time that the judges sang ‘On Your Mandate.’ That was never… Judges have no business with that. They are not politicians.”
Addressing why judges appeared to rise during the disputed moment, Umoru clarified it was a gesture of respect for the office of the President, triggered by the CJN’s action. “When Mr. President stood from his seat to walk to the podium, as a mark of respect, the Chief Justice of Nigeria stood up… Every other judicial officer rose to respect Mr. President.”
He noted this aligned with protocol for the national anthem as well: “Everyone will stand… Those who can will sing.” Umoru firmly rejected any implication of political loyalty, reaffirming the judiciary’s insulation from partisan activity. “For their constitutional role, judicial officers would never sing any other [song].”
Umoru dismissed the viral narrative as deliberate misinformation, stating, “For any purpose of mischief… that is my own belief.” He hinted at underlying motives without elaboration: “We all understand where this is coming from, for whatever cause it’s coming from and for whatever reason. For us, we know we are not taking that very seriously. But we just felt that we need to… clarify this.”
In its official statement, echoed by Umoru, the NJI described the allegation as a risk to institutional trust: “The judiciary neither selected nor endorsed the music… Judges rose solely in respect for the office of the President, not as a show of political loyalty.” The institute called on Nigerians to “verify information before sharing, warning that false claims risk eroding trust in national institutions.”
Umoru concluded on an optimistic note, aligning with President Tinubu’s charge to the bench. “Our hope, of course, is that the judges would stick to what the President said: to uphold integrity and resist justice for sale.” He expressed confidence in the judiciary’s resilience amid such distractions, positioning the NJI’s response as a proactive defense of its nonpartisan ethos.
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